The Story Within

BioGraphy

Laura Oliver is the author of The Story Within: New Insights and Inspiration for Writers (Alpha/Penguin 2011) which was named one of The Writer Magazine's "Ten Terrific Writing Books of the Year" and excerpted in the magazine's May 2012 issue.  Oliver publishes both fiction and essay in national literary reviews, magazines, newspapers and online, and has been teaching writing at colleges and universities for more than a decade.  Nominated for a Pushcart Prize, Oliver was a finalist in Glimmer Train’s Very Short Fiction Awards 2007, a Top 25-Finalist in Glimmer Train’s Family Matter’s Contest (2008) and won a Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award for Fiction /2006. She has also published numerous essays in “Country Living Magazine,” “The Washington Post,” "The Writer Magazine," “Charleston Magazine,” "Portland Magazine," and online at “Beliefnet.” Her short stories have appeared in the top-tier literary reviews, such as “Glimmer Train” and “The Baltimore Review.” Oliver is a contributing author to the book Lasting Transformation: A Guide to Navigating Life's Journey by Abby Rosen Ph D. Oliver’s essays have been excerpted in books such as Remember the Time? The Power and Promise of Family Story Telling by Eileen Kindig and used by motivational speakers.

Oliver holds a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing and Literature from Bennington College, a BA in English from Washington College, has completed seminars in creative non-fiction at the University of Iowa, and completed numerous professional education seminars for members of the Maryland Psychological Association including seminars on Positive Psychology taught by University of Pennsylvania faculty, workshops on somatic imagery and career construction in the 21st century. A popular motivational speaker, Oliver often presents workshops combining positive psychology and the transformative power of writing at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

For Further Reading: Feature on Workshops published in The Capital Newspaper - "Murray Hill Resident Leads Popular Creative Writing Course."