KASE JOHNSTUN, M.A, M.F.A

EDUCATION

Pacific University

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, June 2011

Forest Grove, Oregon

  • Creative Nonfiction

  • Thesis: “‘The Other’ in Utah”

 

Kansas State University                                                  

Master of Arts in English, May 2001

Manhattan, Kansas

  • Thesis: “Rediscovering Desert Solitaire.”

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant, taught Expository Writing One and Two.

  • Non-Fiction Editor, Touchstone Literary Magazine.

  • Mediator, National Undergraduate Literature Conference, 1999.

 

Weber State University                                                     

Bachelor of Arts in English / Minor in Spanish, December 1998

Ogden, Utah

  • Presenter: Environmental Literature Conference, 1998.

  • Weber State University Rhodes Scholar Nominee, 1998.

  • Study abroad Mexico, 1997 – Immersed Spanish language instruction.

  • Study abroad Costa Rica, 1998 – Immersed Spanish literature and language instruction.

 

PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

Books 

  • Johnstun, K. Let the Wild Grasses Grow. Forthcoming from Torrey House Press, Sept. 2021.

  • Johnstun, K. Beyond the Grip of Craniosynostosis. McFarland & Company. JAN. 2015.

    • This narrative-nonfiction book dives into the lives of those who were born with the birth defect Craniosynostosis, their parent’s lives, the medical history of the birth defect, and my life (a child born with Craniosynostosis – this serves as the larger narrative arch).

    • Gold Quill (First Place) Winner: 2015 Published Book Contest (Creative Nonfiction): League of Utah Writers.

    • Featured in Portland Family Magazine, Pennsylvania Parenting Magazine, The Ogden Standard Examiner, and many other places.

    • Mentions in the Seattle Times, The Chicago Tribune, and other major newspapers.

 

  • Johnstun, K., Sherri Hoffman and Mary Johnstun. Utah Reflections: Stories from the Wasatch Front. The History Press. June 2014.

    • This anthology is a collection of narratives that chronicle how life on the Wasatch Front has shaped the author’s identity, cultural view of the world, and life.

    • Recommended Read (Third Place) Winner: 2015 Published Book Contest (Creative Nonfiction): League of Utah Writers.

    • The Salt Lake Tribune’s Book Club Book of the month August 2014

 

Awards and Recognition

Johnstun, K. Gold Quill (First Place) Winner: 2015 Published Book Contest (Creative Nonfiction): League of Utah Writers.

  • Johnstun, K. Beyond the Grip of Craniosynostosis. Gold Quill (First Place) Winner: 2015 Published Book Contest (Creative Nonfiction): League of Utah Writers.

  • Johnstun, K. Poker Tables, Coors, and Bunuelos. Finalist. Autumn House Press 2020 Nonfiction Prize for a full creative nonfiction manuscript.

  • Johnstun, Hoffman, Johnstun, Utah Reflections. Recommended Read (Third Place) Winner: 2015 Published Book Contest (Creative Nonfiction): League of Utah Writers.

  • Johnstun, K. “The Drought of 2012.” Third Place Award. Ooligan Press 2013 Nonfiction Prize.

  • Johnstun, K. Tortillas for Honkies and Other Essays. Finalist. Autumn House Press 2013 Nonfiction Prize for a full creative nonfiction manuscript.

  • JIWAR Writer-in-Residence. JIWAR Artist Institution. Barcelona, Spain. Jan. 2016.

 

2020/21 Publications/Published or Forthcoming

 

  • Johnstun, K. “In the Deep End Blowing Bubbles.” The Good Men Project, 2021.

  • Johnstun, K. “The Chainsaw Guy.” Drunk Monkeys. 2021.

  • Johnstun, K. “Protect the Ones Who Made Us Fans.” Good Men Project. 2020.

  • Johnstun, K. “The Return of Phil Collins to My Playlist After 35 Years.” Good Men Project. 2020.

  • Johnstun, K. “Cheeseburgers for Lunch.” 34th Parallel Literary Magazine. 2020.

  • Johnstun, K. “Poker Tables, Coors, and Buenelos.” Under the Gum Tree Literary Magazine. 2020.

  • Johnstun, K. “The Smilers and Wavers: The Runners During Covid-19.” Like the Wind Magazine. UK. 2020.

  • Johnstun, K. “The Ritual on the Beach.” The Tiny Journal. 2020.

  • Johnstun, K. “The Snowballing of Mrs. O.” The Real Story. UK. 2020.

 

 

Essays in Literary/Trade Journals/Magazines

  • Johnstun, K. “Our Representatives Have a Chance to Be Good Men,” Op-ed. Salt Lake Tribune. December 2018.

  • Johnstun. K. “Winter Edition Special.” Southwest the Magazine. November 2018.

  • Johnstun. K. “For Father’s Day, I Want Something Different.” Today’s Parent Magazine. June 2018.

  • Johnstun. K. “There’s No Shame in a DNF.” Like the Wind Magazine. July 2018

  • Johnstun, K. “The Mugs Shot that Broke My Heart.” Full Grown People. 2018.

  • Johnstun, K. “Change of Course.” Southwest Magazine. 2017.

  • Johnstun, K. “The Drought of 2012.” Like the Wind Magazine. 2017.

  • Johnstun, K. “Homeless in Barcelona.” Coldnoon: Journal of Travel Writing and Traveling Cultures. 2017

  • Johnstun, K. “Thou Shall Not Bear False Hypothesis.” Rougaroo Literary Journal (University of Louisiana Lafayette. 2016.

  • Johnstun, K. “A Sincere Thank You To Taylor Swift from a 40-Year-Old Man Who Hates Pop Music.” Yahoo Parenting via The Good Men Project. Spring 2015.

  • Johnstun, K. “Just Have a Drink and Relax.” Nailed Magazine. Fall 2014.

  • Johnstun, K. “The Flea.” Animal Literary Zine. Summer 2014.

  • Johnstun, K. “My Rubber Uncle.” The Watershed Review. Spring 2014.

  • Johnstun, K. “Off the Adjunct Treadmill.” The Chronicle Review. Washington, D.C. 2013

  • Johnstun, K. “Fake Soldiers.” 1:1000. 2013.

  • Johnstun, K. “My Affinity for Burros.” Prime Number Literary Magazine. 2013

  • Johnstun, K. “On the Perils of ‘Writing What You Know.’” Creative Nonfiction Magazine. Pittsburgh, PA: 2012.

  • Johnstun, K. “Me and My Ignorance.” The Chronicle Review. Washington, D.C.: 2012.

  • Johnstun, K. “Tortillas for Honkies.” Label Me Latina/o Literary Journal: 2011.

 

Essays in Books/Anthologies

  • Johnstun, K. “The Push.” Helicon West Anthology. Utah State University Press. 2016.

  • Johnstun, K. “Baby Luke’s Daah of The Natural World.” Western Washington: Reflections.

The History Press. April 2013.

  • Johnstun, K. “Black Marker and a Name.” Lessons from Our Parents. Familius Press. April 2013.

  • Johnstun, K. “We Were Going to Kill Each Other.” Europe from a Backpack. Ed. Mark Pearson and Martin Westerman. Seattle, WA: Pearson Venture Group, 2004: 234-244. 2002.

 

Articles/Essays

  • Johnstun, K. “If You Can’t See Why the Obama’s are Perfect for the White House…” 2016

  • Johnstun. K. “Why We Run Series: Dual Published in Good Men Project and Ogden Standard Examiner:

o        “Why We Run: More Than a Running Group.” 2016.

o        “A Group That Runs Together.” 2015, republished 2016.

  • (Series of Three Essays) Johnstun, K. “Insights Into Working in Professional Sports.” Good Men Project. New York.

o        “Getting the Call.” Nov. 2012.

o        “The Old Timer.” Dec. 2012.

o        “The Front Office Isn’t for Everyone.” Dec. 2012.

  • Johnstun, K. “Washing John.” Good Men Project Magazine. New York: 2012. (Editor’s Picks – 2012)

  • Johnstun, K. “Evidence on the Bench Seat.” Good Men Project Magazine. New York: 2011.

  • Johnstun, K. “Losing Grandpa.” Good Men Project Magazine. New York: 2010.

  • Johnstun, K. “Nutritional Mistakes Athletes Make.” UtahHealth. Salt Lake City: Citihealth, 2006.

  • Johnstun, K. Intermountain Catholic Newspaper. Salt Lake City, Utah: 2002-2004— Over 200 articles on multiple topics.

  • Johnstun, K. “Christmas Round Up.” Consumer Choice Magazine. The Consumer’s Association of Ireland: Dublin, Ireland: 2002.

  • Johnstun, K. “Generation Gamer.” Consumer Choice Magazine. The Consumer’s Association of Ireland: Dublin, Ireland: 2002.

  • Johnstun, K. “Irish Copyright Laws.” Consumer Choice Magazine. The Consumer’s Association of Ireland: Dublin, Ireland: 2002.

 

Presentations

  • Panelist AWP Conference (virtual) 2021.

  • Panelist AWP Conference 2020. Using the Podcast in the Creative Writing Classroom. San Antonio, Texas.

  • The Montana Book Festival. Nonfiction Panel. September 2016.

  • Presenter/Panelist/Instructor: Writing the Rockies. Western State Colorado University. July 2016/2017/2018.

  • The Aquinas Institute. Reading from Beyond the Grip of Craniosynostosis. February 2015.

  • (Creative Nonfiction Panel) Johnstun, K. “The Drought of 2012.” The World As We Have Imagined It: Literature and the Environment Conference. Southwestern College. April 2013.

  • (Creative Nonfiction Panel) Johnstun, K. “Thou Shall Not Bear False Hypothesis.” South Central MLA Conference. San Antonio: November 2012.

 

Columns

  • Johnstun, K. “Top of Utah.” Ogden Standard Examiner. Ogden, UT.

  • Johnstun, K. “Coming of Age.” Catholic News Service. Washington D.C. 2003-2006. Seventy-five Nationally Syndicated Columns.

 

 

ACADEMIC/TEACHING EXPERIENCE 

Advanced Creative Writing Instructor, The Creative Nonfiction Foundation ONLINE

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, September 2018 - Present

 

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Creative Writing Graduate Program, Southern New Hampshire University ONLINE 

New Hampshire, September 2017 - Present

 

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Barton Community College ONLINE

Barton, Kansas, June 2013 - Present

 

Poetry Instructor: Community Poetry Group, funded by Ogden City and Weber County (RAMP Grant)

Ogden, Utah: 2016 -Present

 

English Lecturer (Full-time), Utah State University

Logan, Utah; Fall 2014 – 2015

  • Teach English 2010

 

English Instructor (Full-time), Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas; Fall 2012 – June 2014

  • Taught English 417, 415, 395, 760

  • Committee Work: Technical and Professional Writing Committee, Newsletter Committee

 

Adjunct Assistant Professor of English Composition, State of Washington Technical and Community Colleges

Washington; Fall 2008 – Spring 2012

 

Adjunct English Instructor, Salt Lake Community College                                       

Salt Lake City, Utah; Spring Semester 2004 

 

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Kansas State University                                                         

Manhattan, Kansas; 1999-2000

 

Para-Educator for Students with Disabilities, Canyon View School                                                               

Ogden, Utah; August 1996-May 1999

 

Composition Classes Taught

 


-        English 81 (Developmental Studies: GRCC)

-        English 95 (Developmental Studies: TCC)

-        Reading 85 (Developmental Studies: TCC)

-        Reading 95 (Developmental Studies: TCC)

-        English 100 (Developmental Studies: GRCC)

-        English 395(Introduction to Publishing KSU)

-        Expository Writing 1010 (Composition: KSU)

-        Expository Writing 2020 (Argument and Rhetoric: KSU)

-        English 2010 (Argument and Rhetoric: USU)

-        English 365 (Publishing and Editing, KSU)

-        English 756 (Professional and Business Writing, KSU)

 

 


-        English 102 (Argument and Rhetoric: NWIC)

-        English 103 (Argument and Rhetoric: Pierce)

-        English 107 (Composition for Literature: Pierce)

-        English 235 (Technical Writing: Pierce)

-        English 417 (Written Communication for the Workplace: KSU)

-        English 415 (Written Communication for Engineers: KSU)

 

COMMUNITY-BASED INVOLVEMENT – Literary Arts

Literary Program Coordinator

Utah Arts Festival

Salt Lake City, Utah, 2020, 2021

 

Ogden City Arts Council                                     

Literary Chair

Ogden, Utah; March 2015 - Present

 

The Aquinas Institute

Board Member

Ogden, Utah, July 2015 - Present                    

 

PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL - PUBLISHING/JOURNALISM EXPERIENCE

Ogden Standard Examiner

Cultural Columnist

Ogden, UT; October 2013 – 2015

 

Label Me Latina/o Literary Journal

Editorial Board

Queens University of Charlotte; March 2012 – Present

 

Tacoma Rainiers Professional Baseball                            

Publications Coordinator, Seasonal

Tacoma, Washington; February 2008 — September 2008                           

 

CrossTalk Magazine/ArrowPoint Solutions, Inc.

Managing Editor           

Hill Air Force Base, Utah; February 2006 — February 2008

 

Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.                                                  

Developmental Editor

Champaign, Illinois; July 2004 — February 2006

                                                                                                                                             

Catholic News Service                                                    

Nationally Syndicated Columnist 

Washington, D.C.; June 2003—April 2006            

 

Intermountain Catholic Newspaper                                   

Staff Writer 

Salt Lake City, Utah; Sept. 2002—June 2004

 

 

COMPUTER SKILLS

  • Blackboard Academic Suite (1.5 years of experience).

  • Microsoft Programs – Word, Access, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint (Eight years of experience).

  • Adobe InDesign (Four years of experience).

  • Adobe Photoshop (Two years of experience).

  • Quark Xpress (One year of experience).

  • Adobe Illustrator (One year of experience).