MCC’s Open Poetry & Fiction Reading Provides Safe Space for Writers

Over 30 readers participated in Middlesex Community College’s 2022 Open Poetry & Fiction Reading to an in-person audience of about 50 attendees. The event – open for the entire MCC community to share their creative works – is another opportunity to foster creativity and provide a safe space for expression at Middlesex.

“Open Poetry & Fiction Readings provide wonderful opportunities for student, faculty and staff creative writers to share their work publicly and for the campus community to listen, enjoy and celebrate the rich diversity of creative voices at MCC,” said Tom Laughlin, MCC Professor of English. “Reading publicly is also a valuable part of the process of being a writer. Through this process of making work public, writers often notice more in their written work and receive audience feedback that together helps them to further revise and strength their writing.”

The 75-minute event featured a group of diverse creative voices, according to Laughlin. While many participants read their works of poetry, fiction and nonfiction, one individual played a ukulele and sang a poem, and a group of six students presented haikus they wrote in response to being able to remove masks.

One of the student readers was Razan Shahin, a dual Dental Hygiene and English Literature major from Salem. Although she considers speaking in public to be nerve-wracking, she enjoys presenting her work to others who also have an interest in reading and writing. MCC’s event “made me feel more welcomed and heard.”

“As a writer, it is extremely important to get your voice out there,” Shahin said. “To present not only your work, but your experiences, life lessons and emotions. This event is a chance to let my writing be heard.”

MacKenzie Taylor is an MCC Liberal Arts and Sciences major who was part of the Fall 2021 event. From Ayer and now living in Milford, Taylor was encouraged to participate because she was a member of Laughlin’s Creative Writing course. Although the prospect of reading her work in front of others felt intimidating, MCC’s event provided a safe and positive environment. “Everyone is very supportive and kind to one another,” Taylor said.

“It is so important to have events like this to not only promote creativity on campus, but this can lead to people becoming more comfortable with sharing their work,” Taylor said. “I think having such a safe space to expose yourself to a public reading can be a great way to ease yourself into it. Additionally, you can even meet people who you never cross on campus on a normal day.”

The Spring 2022 event took place on MCC’s Bedford campus at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6. Part of the college’s Arts and Humanities pathway, MCC’s Creative Writing program develops student’s writing talents, helps them explore potential academic and career options, and sets them up for success by guiding them to reach their goals.