Academics

The Writers House

A Place to Gather at the Writers House

The Writers House is a place where poets, fiction writers, scholars, journalists, graphic novelists and filmmakers can connect with and inspire students, faculty, staff and the wider community.

Upcoming Events

04/28

4:00pm
Danez Smith

What We Do

Think open mics, poetry slams, staged readings, Pulitzer-Prize-winning authors, emerging writers, a student-run literary journal, internships, pizza, space to hang out and write and read, and wrestle with ideas. Check out our upcoming events and past events.

Location

We are located in the Academic Innovation Center. Walking/Driving Directions to The Writers House

Student-Run Magazine

The Merrimack Review is our student-run literary and art magazine published twice a year. Submissions come from undergrad/graduate students, regardless of academic institution/program of study.

Read the Merrimack Review

Videos

We’ve welcomed a number of award-winning writers and artists to The Writers House. Watch a selection of our guests read from their works.

Watch Writers House Videos

Get Involved

Three participants sitting at Writers House presentation

Want More? Stay in Touch

Want to stay up to date on our Visiting Writers Series? Join our Community Mailing List to get invitations to all upcoming events.

On campus and looking to get involved? Join our Student Events Mailing List for information about all on-campus events & gatherings.

Follow us on instagram: mc_writershouse

Contact Us

Emma Duffy-Comparone, Director of The Writers House

978-837-5515 | duffycompare@merrimack.edu
Walking/Driving Directions to The Writers House

<section class="content-fluid-slider-container content-fluid dark section" style="background:url('/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21759_MC-logo-only.rev.1599138227.jpg'); background-size:cover;"><div class="container"><div class="row no-gutters"><div class="col-lg-9"><span class="label">Office of Communications and Marketing</span><a class="hover-yellow" href="https://www.merrimack.edu/about/offices_services/communications/notable-quotable/"><h3>See What Our Talented Faculty Have Been Up To</h3></a> <p>Merrimack professors across all disciplines have been winning awards, publishing papers, participating in academic panels and workshops, and featured in the media. </p></div><div class="col-lg-3"><div class="d-table h-100 "><div class="d-table-cell align-middle"><picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21759_MC-logo-only.rev.1599138227.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21759_MC-logo-only.rev.1599138227.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21759_MC-logo-only.rev.1599138227.jpg" alt="Merrimack College logo with shield" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div></div></div></div></div></section>
<section class="content-fluid-slider-container content-fluid dark section" style="background:url('/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/22543_generation.rev.1618344951.jpg'); background-size:cover;"><div class="container"><div class="row no-gutters"><div class="col-lg-9"><span class="label">Office of Communications and Marketing</span><a class="hover-yellow" href="/live/news/5040-student-artists-reflect-on-covid-19-its-ok-to-not"><h3>Student Artists Reflect On COVID-19: It’s OK To Not Be OK</h3></a> <p>Merrimack student artists kicked off a new exhibition, “It’s OK To Not Be OK,” with a virtual opening on Friday, April 2. Housed in McCoy Gallery, the show features work from a newly offered fall 2020 course and grapples with everything from life during the pandemic, to civil rights and the rise of blind patriotism in the U.S. The exhibition will run through Friday, April 16. </p></div><div class="col-lg-3"><div class="d-table h-100 "><div class="d-table-cell align-middle"><picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/22543_generation.rev.1618344951.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/22543_generation.rev.1618344951.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/22543_generation.rev.1618344951.jpg" alt="“Generations of M: Milo, Me, Mom and Memere,” by Felicia Fishel, ’21, graphic design major." loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div></div></div></div></div></section>
<section class="content-fluid-slider-container content-fluid dark section" style="background:url('/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21380_F5_Janet_Ierardi_Twitter.rev.1588791908.jpg'); background-size:cover;"><div class="container"><div class="row no-gutters"><div class="col-lg-9"><span class="label">Office of Communications and Marketing</span><a class="hover-yellow" href="/live/news/4921-faculty-fast-five-with-janet-ierardi"><h3>Faculty Fast Five with Janet Ierardi</h3></a> <p>In this week’s edition of “Fast Five: Quick Q&As with Members of the Merrimack Community,” we talk to obstetrics nurse and associate clinical professor of nursing Janet Ierardi who teaches in the <a href="/nursing">nursing program at Merrimack</a>. </p></div><div class="col-lg-3"><div class="d-table h-100 "><div class="d-table-cell align-middle"><picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21380_F5_Janet_Ierardi_Twitter.rev.1588791908.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21380_F5_Janet_Ierardi_Twitter.rev.1588791908.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21380_F5_Janet_Ierardi_Twitter.rev.1588791908.jpg" alt="The first in her family to attend college, Janet Ierardi has been teaching nursing for more than 15 years and tells her students to "squeeze every drop out of learning."" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div></div></div></div></div></section>
<section class="content-fluid-slider-container content-fluid dark section" style="background:url('/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2071/ignore_cropper/1/21746_DSC_6585.rev.1598540033.jpg'); background-size:cover;"><div class="container"><div class="row no-gutters"><div class="col-lg-9"><span class="label">Office of Communications and Marketing</span><a class="hover-yellow" href="/live/news/4948-merrimack-offers-new-global-pandemics-course-about"><h3>Merrimack Offers New Global Pandemics Course About COVID-19</h3></a> <p>Merrimack’s new course Global Pandemics: Challenges and Opportunities in the Context of COVID-19 offers students the opportunity to examine COVID-19 through the lens of multiple fields of study and practice. </p></div><div class="col-lg-3"><div class="d-table h-100 "><div class="d-table-cell align-middle"><picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2071/ignore_cropper/1/21746_DSC_6585.rev.1598540033.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2071/ignore_cropper/1/21746_DSC_6585.rev.1598540033.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2071/ignore_cropper/1/21746_DSC_6585.rev.1598540033.jpg" alt="Students in Global Pandemics: Challenges and Opportunities in the Context of COVID-19 will learn about the economics of pandemics, post-pandemic recoveries and more. " loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div></div></div></div></div></section>
<section class="content-fluid-slider-container content-fluid dark section" style="background:url('/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,630/ignore_cropper/1/22549_iPad_Web_Twitter.rev.1618513455.jpg'); background-size:cover;"><div class="container"><div class="row no-gutters"><div class="col-lg-9"><span class="label">Office of Communications and Marketing</span><a class="hover-yellow" href="/live/news/5043-merrimack-gets-technology-in-the-hands-of-lawrence"><h3>Merrimack Gets Technology in the Hands of Lawrence Students</h3></a> <p>In light of the pandemic’s impact on education and the sharp uptick of remote learning, Merrimack’s Hands to Help connected with Lawrence High School students and administrators to increase accessibility to necessary tools and technology. </p></div><div class="col-lg-3"><div class="d-table h-100 "><div class="d-table-cell align-middle"><picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,630/ignore_cropper/1/22549_iPad_Web_Twitter.rev.1618513455.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,630/ignore_cropper/1/22549_iPad_Web_Twitter.rev.1618513455.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,630/ignore_cropper/1/22549_iPad_Web_Twitter.rev.1618513455.jpg" alt="Lawrence High School students in need of a device for virtual learning picked up iPads and chargers from Hands to Help’s technology drive this April." loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div></div></div></div></div></section>
<section class="content-fluid-slider-container content-fluid dark section" style="background:url('/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,630/ignore_cropper/1/22356_studentswalking.rev.1615482935.jpg'); background-size:cover;"><div class="container"><div class="row no-gutters"><div class="col-lg-9"><span class="label">Office of Communications and Marketing</span><a class="hover-yellow" href="/live/news/5015-obrien-foundation-invests-12m-to-provide-full"><h3>O’Brien Foundation Invests $1.2M to Provide Full Scholarships to Lynn Students</h3></a> <p>A gift from the James W. O’Brien Foundation will fund full tuition, room and board at Merrimack for Lynn scholars. </p></div><div class="col-lg-3"><div class="d-table h-100 "><div class="d-table-cell align-middle"><picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,630/ignore_cropper/1/22356_studentswalking.rev.1615482935.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,630/ignore_cropper/1/22356_studentswalking.rev.1615482935.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,630/ignore_cropper/1/22356_studentswalking.rev.1615482935.jpg" alt=" The scholarship program will begin this fall and support a select number of students over a 5-year period. " loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div></div></div></div></div></section>
<section class="content-fluid-slider-container content-fluid dark section" style="background:url('/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21675_LM-FF.rev.1594916487.jpg'); background-size:cover;"><div class="container"><div class="row no-gutters"><div class="col-lg-9"><span class="label">Office of Communications and Marketing</span><a class="hover-yellow" href="/live/news/4940-alumni-fast-five-with-nurse-lauren-maher-16"><h3>Alumni Fast Five with Nurse Lauren Maher ’16</h3></a> <p>In this week’s edition of “Fast Five: Quick Q&As with Members of the Merrimack Community,” we talk to alumnus Lauren Maher ’16. Lauren shares her path to becoming a nurse, how Merrimack influenced her career choice and how she’d like to come back and share her knowledge with current nursing students. </p></div><div class="col-lg-3"><div class="d-table h-100 "><div class="d-table-cell align-middle"><picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21675_LM-FF.rev.1594916487.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21675_LM-FF.rev.1594916487.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21675_LM-FF.rev.1594916487.jpg" alt="Merrimack alumnus and nurse Lauren Maher '16 advises students to know they don't have to have it all figured out while they are in college." loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div></div></div></div></div></section>
<section class="content-fluid-slider-container content-fluid dark section" style="background:url('/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/22254_band1.rev.1612985404.jpg'); background-size:cover;"><div class="container"><div class="row no-gutters"><div class="col-lg-9"><span class="label">Office of Communications and Marketing</span><a class="hover-yellow" href="/live/news/5009-bring-on-the-merrimack-college-marching-band"><h3>Bring on the Merrimack College Marching Band</h3></a> <p>Merrimack has launched its inaugural marching band to accompany the College’s Division I athletic program. </p></div><div class="col-lg-3"><div class="d-table h-100 "><div class="d-table-cell align-middle"><picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/22254_band1.rev.1612985404.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/22254_band1.rev.1612985404.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/22254_band1.rev.1612985404.jpg" alt="The Merrimack College Marching Band launched with 40 members and plans to grow to around 100 members who will provide entertainment at Merrimack’s Division I sports events." loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div></div></div></div></div></section>
<section class="content-fluid-slider-container content-fluid dark section" style="background:url('/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21758_rickey-caldwell.rev.1599077275.jpg'); background-size:cover;"><div class="container"><div class="row no-gutters"><div class="col-lg-9"><span class="label">Office of Communications and Marketing</span><a class="hover-yellow" href="/live/news/4947-merrimack-college-awarded-nsf-grant-for-machs"><h3>Merrimack College Awarded NSF Grant for MACHS Scholars Program</h3></a> <p>Merrimack secures NSF grant for new STEM program to support high-achieving, low-income students. </p></div><div class="col-lg-3"><div class="d-table h-100 "><div class="d-table-cell align-middle"><picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21758_rickey-caldwell.rev.1599077275.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21758_rickey-caldwell.rev.1599077275.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21758_rickey-caldwell.rev.1599077275.jpg" alt="Principal Investigator Dr. Rickey Caldwell, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div></div></div></div></div></section>
<section class="content-fluid-slider-container content-fluid dark section" style="background:url('/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/22471_Tevin_Twitter_Web.rev.1617921823.jpg'); background-size:cover;"><div class="container"><div class="row no-gutters"><div class="col-lg-9"><span class="label">Office of Communications and Marketing</span><a class="hover-yellow" href="/live/news/5034-merrimack-graduate-student-named-newman-civic"><h3>Merrimack Graduate Student Named Newman Civic Fellow</h3></a> <p>Tevin Monroe, a graduate student in Merrimack’s Master of Education in Community Engagement program, received the Newman Civic Fellowship. Monroe will join the national cohort of student fellows for the 2021-2022 academic year as he works to complete his degree entirely online. </p></div><div class="col-lg-3"><div class="d-table h-100 "><div class="d-table-cell align-middle"><picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/22471_Tevin_Twitter_Web.rev.1617921823.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/22471_Tevin_Twitter_Web.rev.1617921823.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/22471_Tevin_Twitter_Web.rev.1617921823.jpg" alt=" Merrimack graduate student Tevin Monroe has been awarded the Civic Newman Fellowship for 2021-2022. " loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div></div></div></div></div></section>