Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize
1 appearances
-
Edition 19 (1993) Winner
Alexandria Constantinova Szeman
アレクサンドリア・コンスタンティノヴァ・セゼマン
Alexandria Constantinova Szeman
Aliases:
Cheryl Lynn Clemans / Sherri Szeman
Pen Names:
Sherri Szeman（Pen name used for early poetry and first three books）
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1956-06-18 （Dayton, Ohio, U.S.）
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
Career
- Occupations
- Author, Poet, Professor
- Active Years
- 1980-
- Affiliations
- Central State University, Clark State Community College
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wright State University | College of Arts and Sciences | English Literature (minor: Art History) | BA | 1974-1978 | United States |
| Wright State University | Graduate School (Arts) | English Literature (concentrations in Linguistics and History of the English Language) | MA | 1978-1980 | United States |
| University of Cincinnati | Comparative and World Literature and Creative Writing (PhD program) | Comparative and World Literature and Creative Writing | PhD | 1982-1986 | United States |
Wright State University
College of Arts and Sciences
/ English Literature (minor: Art History)
Degree:
BA
Period:
1974-1978
Year of Graduation:
1978
Country:
United States
BA in English Literature, minor in Art History
Wright State University
Graduate School (Arts)
/ English Literature (concentrations in Linguistics and History of the English Language)
Degree:
MA
Period:
1978-1980
Year of Graduation:
1980
Country:
United States
MA with concentrations in Linguistics and History of the English Language
University of Cincinnati
Comparative and World Literature and Creative Writing (PhD program)
/ Comparative and World Literature and Creative Writing
Degree:
PhD
Period:
1982-1986
Year of Graduation:
1986
Country:
United States
PhD dissertation was a collection of original poetry; many poems published or accepted prior to defense
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Writer's Digest National Writing Competition (Unrhymed Poetry) Honorable Mention | — | — | Writer's Digest | Honorable Mention |
| 1983 | Elliston Poetry Prize (Grand Prize) | — | — | University of Cincinnati | 受賞 |
| 1984 | Elliston Poetry Prize (1st Prize) | — | — | University of Cincinnati | 受賞 |
| 1985 | Elliston Poetry Prize (2nd Prize) | — | — | University of Cincinnati | 受賞 |
| 1985 | The Centennial Review Michael Miller Award for Poetry | "Penelope to Ulysses" | — | Michigan State University | 受賞 |
| 1985 | Chester H. Jones Poetry Foundation National Poetry Competition Honorable Mention | — | — | Chester H. Jones Poetry Foundation | Honorable Mention |
| 1985 | Isabel and Mary Neff Fellowship for Creative Writing | — | — | College of Arts and Sciences, University of Cincinnati | フェローシップ（1985-1986） |
| 1993 | Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize | The Kommandant's Mistress | — | University of Rochester | 受賞 |
| 1994 | Talmadge McKinney Award for Excellence in Research | — | — | Central State University | 受賞 |
| 1995 | Seven Deadly Sins Contest (Third Prize) | — | — | Story Magazine | Third Prize |
| 2007 | UKA Press International Writing Competition (Grand Prize) | Naked, with Glasses | — | UKA (United Kingdom Authors) Press | Grand Prize |
Writer's Digest National Writing Competition (Unrhymed Poetry) Honorable Mention
1980
Organization:
Writer's Digest
Result:
Honorable Mention
Elliston Poetry Prize (Grand Prize)
1983
Organization:
University of Cincinnati
Result:
受賞
Elliston Poetry Prize (1st Prize)
1984
Organization:
University of Cincinnati
Result:
受賞
Elliston Poetry Prize (2nd Prize)
1985
Organization:
University of Cincinnati
Result:
受賞
The Centennial Review Michael Miller Award for Poetry
1985
Work:
"Penelope to Ulysses"
Organization:
Michigan State University
Result:
受賞
Chester H. Jones Poetry Foundation National Poetry Competition Honorable Mention
1985
Organization:
Chester H. Jones Poetry Foundation
Result:
Honorable Mention
Isabel and Mary Neff Fellowship for Creative Writing
1985
Organization:
College of Arts and Sciences, University of Cincinnati
Result:
フェローシップ（1985-1986）
Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize
1993
Work:
The Kommandant's Mistress
Organization:
University of Rochester
Result:
受賞
Talmadge McKinney Award for Excellence in Research
1994
Organization:
Central State University
Result:
受賞
Seven Deadly Sins Contest (Third Prize)
1995
Organization:
Story Magazine
Result:
Third Prize
UKA Press International Writing Competition (Grand Prize)
2007
Work:
Naked, with Glasses
Organization:
UKA (United Kingdom Authors) Press
Result:
Grand Prize
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
The Kommandant's Mistress
1993 Literary fiction (historical)A historical novel set around World War II exploring complex human relationships and moral conflicts. Widely praised by critics and translated internationally.
War and memoryMoral ambiguityIdentity
Translations
- Translated into French (publisher: Albin Michel, among others)
- Translated into Spanish/Latin American edition (publisher: Seix Barral, among others)
- Sold and translated in Russia, Japan, and Nordic and Baltic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania)
Only with the Heart
2000 Literary fiction / memoir elementsA work delving into personal memory and emotion. Later revised and updated in subsequent editions with legal and medical updates.
MemoryEmotional recoveryFamily
Mastering Point of View
2001 Practical guide / Writing craftA craft guide on narrative point of view aimed at writers and students of creative writing.
Writing craftPoint of view
Naked, with Glasses
2013 Short fiction collectionA collection of short fiction; some stories were recognized in international competitions.
Absurdities of daily lifeHuman psychology
M is for Munchers: The Serial Killers Next Door
2014 Nonfiction / True crimeInvestigative nonfiction about serial killers, examining criminal psychology and community impact.
CrimePsychologySociety
Where Lightning Strikes: Poems on The Holocaust
2012 Poetry / HistoricalA poetry collection on the Holocaust, poetically exploring memory and testimony.
MemoryHistorical testimonyTrauma
Bibliography
- The Kommandant's Mistress — 1993 (Revised 2012)
- Only with the Heart — 2000 (Revised 2012)
- Where Lightning Strikes: Poems on The Holocaust — 2012
- Love in the Time of Dinosaurs — 2012
- Naked, with Glasses — 2013
- M is for Munchers: The Serial Killers Next Door — 2014
- Love is a Many Zombied Thing — 2015
- Mastering Point of View — 2001
Translations by Author
- Verdi opera translations (included in 2nd edition)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Lyrical prose with emphasis on historical contextFusion of poetic imagery and rigorous textual analysisFocus on social and moral themes
- Recurring Motifs
- Memory and reckoning with the pastEffects of warIdentity, renaming and transformation
Legacy
Alexandria Constantinova Szeman has worked across poetry and fiction, receiving notable acclaim for The Kommandant's Mistress. Through her academic career and literary achievements she has influenced comparative literature and creative writing education.
Quotes
-
"A book of outstanding merit"
Source: Publishers Weekly (review) (1993)
Trivia
- Born Cheryl Lynn Clemans; adopted by stepfather Edward Anthony Szeman in 1971 and changed her name to Sherri.
- Changed her name to Alexandria Constantinova Szeman in 2005.
- Early poetry and first books were published under the pen name Sherri Szeman.