The writing of three Knox College alumni has been recognized in a recently published collection, The Best American Essays 2016.

B.J. Hollars '07, Anna Leahy '88, and Ander Monson '97 are included in the section of the book called "Notable Essays and Literary Nonfiction of 2015." That section honors quality writing by listing the names of selected authors and their work.

Hollars was cited by Best American Essays 2016 for "Hirofukushima," published in Passages North. 

Hollars, recipient of Knox's 2014 Young Alumni Achievement Award, majored in English literature and educational studies at Knox. An associate professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, he has written several essays and books, most recently From the Mouths of Dogs: What Our Pets Teach Us about Life, Death, and Being Human.

Leahy was cited by Best American Essays 2016 for "The Give and Take of Grief," published in The Weeklings.

Leahy majored in English writing (now creative writing) at Knox. She is an associate professor of English at Chapman University in California, where she curates the university's Tabula Poetica Reading Series and edits the TAB international journal. Her book Constituents of Matter won the Wick Poetry Prize.

Monson was cited by Best American Essays 2016 for "Considering a Stain," published in Sierra Nevada Review.

Monson, who received Knox's 2008 Young Alumni Achievement Award, majored in English writing (now creative writing) at Knox. Author of six books, he is associate professor of English at the University of Arizona and edits the magazine DIAGRAM and the New Michigan Press.

Monson's and Leahy's writing has been honored previously in The Best American Essays, a yearly anthology. The 2013 edition of the book featured 26 essays, including Monson's "The Exhibit Will Be So Marked," which originally appeared in Normal School literary magazine. Leahy's "Half-Skull Days," from The Pinch, was cited in that book's "Notable Essays and Literary Nonfiction of 2012." Other notables on the same list included Sam Butler ‘13 for "Elvis Presley Has Been Avenged," from The Gettysburg Review, and Professor of English Natania Rosenfeld for "Gravity," from Fifth Wednesday.

The 2016 book's recognition of three Knox writers demonstrates the strength and success of a Knox education, especially its creative writing program.

"As we prepare for our year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Program in Creative Writing, we find ourselves especially proud of the ongoing, vibrant, and extraordinary work our alums contribute to the contemporary literary scene," said Monica Berlin, associate director of Knox's creative writing program and chair of the English Department. "Our writers now—students and faculty—need only look toward our alums to be reminded of the value of the work we perform here, the building of community among artists, and the necessity of that community's ability to carry itself off campus and into the world."

Berlin added: "We're delighted to hear Leahy and Monson again received acknowledgement and to find Hollars also recognized by Best American, and couldn't be more grateful for their demonstrated commitment to the College, to the Program, and to extending conversations long ago begun here."

Photo at Top of Page: B.J. Hollars returns to campus to speak to writing students.