Hattie Hupke Finds National Publication
By: Diana Humble
“It’s really crazy because I only submitted my story [to Periphery] for extra credit, and I was like ‘oh there’s no way that it’ll actually get taken’ but [a few weeks later] I got an email saying I’m going to be published,” Senior education major and creative writing minor Hattie Hupke said. Hupke took the literary world by storm when her short story, “Diamonds and Rust” was accepted for publication by Periphery, the Drake University national undergraduate literary journal.
“’Diamonds and Rust’ is a crazy story. I’ve actually written two different versions [of the story]. The first version was more of a mystery; in the second story I honed in on a more emotional take.” Hupke said. “It’s actually fun, because the first version [of the story] was accepted at Periphery, then the second was published in the Waldorf Literary Review,” something that’s practically unheard of in the literary world.
The Waldorf creative writing community is incredibly proud of Hupke and all she’s accomplished. “The thing with Hattie is that she has an enthusiastic desire to make her writing better, and it’s so powerful in her that she’s willing to try new ideas out—just to do another approach, make another run at things to see if something comes out of it—and her pieces have become stronger for it,” Tim Bascom, head of the Waldorf Creative Writing department, said. “Hattie has a great sense of plot—better than most people’s—and that’ll take her far.”
Hupke plans to make a career in education, but hopes to continue working within creative writing on the side. “Working with [Doctor] Clark and [Professor] Bascom really opened me up to just trying. I never knew what to write or how to shape my words, but they really gave me the means to do that! They really encouraged me and helped me find my voice within fiction.”
Hupke’s story will be published in the 55th edition of Periphery this coming fall.
“I really encourage everyone to try and write. You never know what can happen.” Hupke said.