Emeritus Faculty Bio

Robert M. Olmstead

Emeritus Professor of English

Education

• B.A., M.A., Syracuse University

About

Robert Olmstead is an established writer of fiction (multiple award-winning novels and numerous short stories), as well as magazine and journal articles. Olmstead is the former Director of Creative Writing at Ohio Wesleyan. He previously served as Senior Writer in Residence at Dickinson College and, more recently, as director of the creative writing program at Boise State University. He has also published a textbook for fiction-writing workshops (Elements of the Craft) and a non-fiction memoir (Stay Here With Me).

Areas of Interest / Expertise

• Creative writing
• Novel writing
• Short-story writing

Publications / Presentations

• “Savage Country: A Novel,” 2017
• “The Coldest Night,” 2012
• “Far Bright Star,” 2009
• “Coal Black Horse,” 2007
• Elements of the Writing Craft, 1997 (textbook)
• “Stay Here With Me,” 1996 (memoir)
• “America by Land,” 1993
• “A Trail of Heart’s Blood Wherever We Go: A Novel,” 1990
• “Soft Water,” Vintage 1988. German and British editions, 1994
• “River Dogs,” 1987 (short story collection)