Martha Witt

Professor • Department of Language, Lit, Culture, and Writing

Website

Martha Witt received a BA from Connecticut College in Italian Studies, an MA from Johns Hopkins University in Writing Seminars, an MFA from New York University in Creative Writing, and an EdD from Teachers College, Columbia University in the College Teaching of English. A 2023 Fulbright Scholar, Martha Witt is the author of the novel Broken as Things Are, (Holt, 2004; Picador, 2005). Her short stories have appeared in several anthologies as well as in Agni, SmokeLong Quarterly, Boulevard Magazine, One Story, Narrative Magazine, and other literary magazines. In collaboration with Maryann Witt, she has translated several of Luigi Pirandello's work, including short stories as well the plays, Six Characters in Search of an Author, Henry IV, "The License," and the novels Ivy and The Dance of the Necklace by Grazia Deledda. She is regularly a panelist on the jury for the Bridge Book Award. She has received several residencies at the Yaddo, Virginia Center for the Arts, and Ragdale artist colonies as well as at the Casa delle Traduzioni in Rome, Italy, and a residency at the Casa Looren in Castasegna, Switzerland. A professor at William Paterson University, she is the Track Director for the Honors College's Program of Literary and Performing Arts.

Professional Interests

Creative Writing, Rhetoric and Composition, Writing Pedagogy, and Literary Translation.

Languages (other than English)

Italian Portuguese French

Degrees

EdD The College Teaching of English, Teachers College, Columbia University New York, NY

MFA Writing, New York University New York, NY

MA Writing, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD

BA Italian Studies, Connecticut College New London, CT

Specialization

Creative Writing, Literary Translation, Writing Pedagogy, English Education

Licenses and Certifications

I was awarded a certificate in Narrative 4, meaning that I am now certified to lead trainings for teachers interested in using narrative and story to increase empathy in communities struggling for better communication. 10/11/2020
Narrative 4 Certificate, Narrative 4 International

After attending several trainings and individual tutorials, I created an online course shell reviewed by the IT department that meets the requirements for earning a Quality Matters certification. I have that certification. 09/10/2021
Quality Matters, William Paterson University International

Representative Publications

Broken As Things Are; NY, NY; Picador (2004); Holt (2005); 2004
https://www.amazon.com/Broken-as-Things-Are-Novel/dp/080507595X

Six Characters in Search of an Author; NY, NY; Italica Press; 2013
http://www.italicapress.com/index448.html

Henry IV; NY, NY; Italica Press; 2015

Ivy; NY, NY; Italica Press; 2019
https://www.amazon.com/Italica-Press-Modern-Italian-Fiction/dp/1599103796

Representative Presentations

Linguagem para além da base 10: alguns pensamentos sobre narrativa, escrita e tradução
Inaugural Address Universidade Estadual de Bahia
Ilhéus, 2023

Oficina sobre a utilização da escrita criativa na sala de aula de literatura
Workshop on Using Creative Writing in the Literature Classroom Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz
Ilhéus, 2023

Awards and Honors

Cepell Fellowship for Translation
Fondazione Cepell
08/08/2021

HSS Group Award
William Paterson University
05/05/2015

HSS Group Project Award
William Paterson University
05/05/2014

America's Best Women Writers of 2009
Random House
10/10/2009

The John Gardner Award for Short Fiction
Harpur Palate Magazine
04/01/2004

Media

Martha Witt and Broken as Things Are

Interview on writing of Broken as Things Are

Interview with Martha Witt
http://www.smokelong.com/smoke-mirrors-an-interview-with-martha-witt/
In this interview aimed at readers of flash fiction, I discuss my techniques for writing flash.

Martha Witt and Chimamanda Ngozi
http://maudnewton.com/blog/the-smart-set-lauren-cerands-weekly-events-13/
Interview and reading on Air America

Interview about writing and writing process.

Creative Work Review

Henry IV
Journal

Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello
Journal

Fellowships, Grants and Research

Fulbright Scholar Fellowship
Fellowship

New York Times Fellowship
Fellowship

Thomas J. Watson Traveling Fellowship
Fellowship

Notable Courses Taught

Writing Effective Prose
Experiences in Literature
Methods of Literary Analysis
Experimental Fiction
Advanced Creative Writing
Writing Capstone
Undergraduate and Graduate Internship
The Pedagogy of Creative Writing
MFA Thesis Project Seminar

Undergraduate Admissions

Graduate Admissions

International Students

Administration

Faculty and Staff