Isaiah Hunt

Courses Professor Hunt teaches at JCU:

Intro to Fiction Writing; Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop

Where are you from?

Cleveland, Ohio

Research interests, publications, and/or awards you would like to highlight:

Research interests include Afrofuturism and Pan-African History. My published works can be found at Luna Negra, Camel Coat Press, Wick Poetry Center, and forthcoming On the Run.

What is the most memorable college course you took and why?

My most memorable college course would have to be my Fiction Writing I course at Kent State University, where I can confidently say is where my passion for writing leapt forward a hundred paces, and my passion for teaching began. I remember the word he used for my stories that truthfully changed my life, that my stories felt "plasticized" and a light bulb clicked in my head. For so long, I was writing from the ideas of white sci-fi writers such as Philip K. Dick, Isaac Asimov, Stanislaw Lem, I was barely writing myself into my stories. Afterward, every one of my stories includes a Black character as the forefront of stories, which progressed into near-future stories about my community, Cleveland.

What made you decide to go into the Creative Writing Field?

It was a spur of the moment thing. 2015, first year at Kent State University as a Journalism major but I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I felt isolated from the university, the dorms I lived in, and at work. I thought, maybe I should leave Kent. Instead, I went out on a whim and switched my major to English. All I knew was that I loved to write, but I didn't enjoy writing about the real world. I was obsessed with writing worlds beyond or adjacent to our own, and I felt English was the closest I could get to such a thing. That's when I took a Fiction Writing I course that not only helped me develop my writing, but the instructor saw not only the writer in me, but a teacher who knew how to share his passion with others. He offered me to speak with the director of the Wick Poetry Center, and afterward, I became a student worker where I facilitated creative writing workshops.

What attracted you to John Carroll University?

John Carroll University is within Cleveland, my hometown. What I absolutely love about John Carroll is the welcome and open experience I received during my interview and orientation, especially at the English Department.

What are some of your favorite pastimes, interests, or passions outside of work?

Many of my passions include writing, reading and studying Afrofuturism and Pan-African history, producing and listening to various kinds of music (Vaporwave, R&B, and Soulful House being my favorite).

What are you most looking forward to this year?

I am looking forward to introducing diverse authors and voice local events, but also reading the sheer number of stories that John Carroll students are carrying with them and are prepared to share.