Penn State Altoona English professor receives second 'Best Microfiction' honor

ALTOONA, Pa. - A story by Erin Murphy, professor of English at Penn State Altoona, has been selected for "Best Microfiction 2026."

"Insomnia Chronicles XXIII" was chosen by Pulitzer Prize winner Diane Seuss, judge and guest editor of the anthology that will be published by Pelekinesis Press in July. It was nominated by the editors of the journal "ONE ART: a journal of poetry," where it appeared originally.

Co-edited by Meg Pokrass and Gary Fincke, the "Best Microfiction" series recognizes outstanding literary stories of four hundred words or fewer.

This is Murphy's second appearance in the series. Her story "In Case of Emergency" was featured in "Best Microfiction 2024."

Murphy is the author or editor of more than a dozen books, most recently "Human Resources," published in June. She is the poet laureate of Blair County and poetry editor of "The Summerset Review."