Fall 2026
From the editor: Welcome to CFF’s fall newsletter, a quarterly publication that informs, champions, and builds community among our members. I’m your new editor, Morgan Desfosses ('25GS).
This edition features a Q&A on literary conferences from published author and CFF member Lara Waas, who recently attended both the Sewanee and Barrelhouse writers' conferences. You will also find a recap on CFF’s latest event exploring the role of agents in American publishing, with insights from author and literary historian Laura McGrath, and leading literary agents Danielle Bukowski and Kate McKean. We present a second installment of our members’ Columbia-to-Career-to-Fiction stories. Finally, we celebrate Margrét Ann Thors's debut novel and Sonja Srinivasan’s new podcast. —Morgan Desfosses
Navigating the Writing World: Lara Waas ('26SOA) on the Value of Literary Conferences
In 2026, Lara Waas was selected to attend the Sewanee Writers’ Conference and Barrelhouse Writer Camp, two competitive programs offering distinct approaches to literary craft, mentorship, and community. We sat down with her to discuss her experience with both and tips for writers interested in attending.
PROFILES
From Columbia to Career to Fiction
Columbia graduates interested in writing fiction come to CFF from varied careers. They enrich our workshops with diverse perspectives as readers and writers. Many come to our workshops with long histories as writers in other fields. CFF helps them make the turn to fiction writing. We asked two of our members to discuss their journey: Penda Aiken, business owner; and Geoffrey Dutton, technologist and journalist.
CFF Member Achievements: Debut Novel from Margrét Ann Thors; Sonja Srinivasan Produces WLT Podcast
CFF celebrates the recent writing accomplishments of two members: Margrét Ann Thors, on the publication of her debut novel, Freyja, and Sonja Srinivasan on her bimonthly podcast for World Literature Today.
The Changing Role of Agents in American Publishing
A recent CFF Presents event explored the role of agents in altering publishing practices, selecting the books people read, and ultimately shaping American fiction. Writer and literary historian Laura B. McGrath was joined by Danielle Bukowski and Kate McKean for an illuminating history of literary agents.
President's Corner
In 2026, Columbia Fiction Foundry sought to advance its strategic objectives of building a community, raising brand awareness, improving quality of our writers, and expanding the group's diversity. We've made progress in all areas. —Ken Schept
EVENTS
CFF Open House and Annual Meeting, Saturday, Oct 17, 2026, 10:00-1:00pm (Register)
CFF Presents: Sharing Our Writing to Improve Our Craft, Thursday, Nov 5, 2026, 7:00-8:30pm (Register)
OTHER NEWS
The Speculative Fiction Full Manuscript Exchange & Workshop rumbles on. Workshop leader Melisa Özen Ryan (‘18CC) reports the small but passionate group has reviewed four of the seven manuscripts. "Writers leave our sessions with a clearer understanding of what makes their stories compelling, where their manuscripts have room to grow, and, perhaps most importantly, a renewed sense of direction and excitement for the revisions ahead. The process of closely reading and critiquing one another's work sharpens our own instincts as storytellers."
Madeleine Dale ('81BAR, '82SIPA), added, "Reading novels from my peers has been an incredible learning experience and the relevant and insightful comments I received jump-started a total re-write. The manuscript exchange takes the critique process to another level, for both the author and readers."
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Vanguard Press published The Time it Takes to Drown, a crime novel, co-written by sisters Franny French ('88BAR) and Vicki French-Sanches. This debut novel is set in Provincetown where Pia and Jenn spent their childhood summers in blissful ignorance of adult matters. When their artist father dies, the sisters, now grown up, discover the father's body is missing, and someone is claiming to be the real and only daughter of the artist. Locals appear to be in cahoots, erasing their family history, forcing them to search for the truth.
Franny French joined the CFF nine years ago, and we congratulate her, and her sister, on their August 2026 release. See the book website.
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Morgan Desfosses, our newsletter editor-in-chief, recently had her 6,300-word short story published in the Fall 2026 issue of Rock Salt Journal. “Outskirts” is a quiet story of family estrangement and imperfect love set in Western Canada. She originally wrote the piece for a creative writing class at Columbia, then workshopped it at CFF and with friends. Congratulations, Morgan.
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VOLUNTEERS WANTED
We have filled important volunteer roles. Thank you to the volunteers now helping with the CFF Newsletter and membership management. We are still looking for a volunteer to help with programming and event management. Please let us know if you can devote time and talent to support our CFF Presents programming.