Laura Shovan

As a high school English teacher, Ms. Shovan worked with bright young writers as the adviser of an award-winning newspaper and literary magazine.  She also became involved with the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation's Poetry Program, attending poetry sessions for teachers, which encouraged her to return to her own writing.

Through Dodge, she studied poetry with Maria Mazziotti Gillan, Madeline Tiger, Laura Boss and Renee Ashley.  With her help, Ms. Shovan began to publish in small presses and twice received an Honorable Mention in the Allen Ginsberg poetry contest.  Again, combining creative writing and education, she coordinated the student-award-winner poetry readings at both the 1996 and 1998 Dodge Poetry Festivals.

After moving to Maryland in 1999, Ms. Shovan became a stay-home mother.  This gave her freedom to apply to be an Artist-in-Education through the Maryland State Arts Council and devote more time to writing.  Sharing and writing poetry with elementary age children is a new and exciting experience, and has inspired her to write short stories for children.

Ms. Shovan also freelances for the Baltimore Sun in Howard County and Baltimore's Child Magazine.  Most of her feature articles cover local education, but she has also written on the arts, religion and weddings (for Baltimore Magazine).

Ms. Shovan is currently working on a young adult novel about a student newspaper.