VCU instructor co-edits literary anthology on working

Share this story
Mary Boyes
Mary Boyes

As a composition teacher, Mary Boyes has seen over and over again how students quickly become inspired when the setting is the workplace.

“It’s a topic most people are engaged with,” said Boyes, an instructor in Focused Inquiry in the VCU University College. “It’s something that is universal in our culture.”

That recognition prompted Boyes to develop with co-editor Peter Scheckner, a literature professor at Ramapo College, a literary anthology focused on work experiences. “The Way We Work: Contemporary Writings from the American Workplace,” which is published by Vanderbilt Press, features personal narratives, poems and short stories that explore the world of work.

A review of “The Way We Work” in ForeWord, a trade publication, said: “Ultimately, ‘The Way We Work’ is less about work and more about the humanity of people in the workforce. … perfect for anyone who simply loves reading good prose and poetry.”

Work from well-known authors, such as Tom Wolfe, Allan Gurganus, Ha Jin, Mona Simpson and Philip Levine, are included, but Boyes said the goal was to find the best work regardless of an author’s name recognition. For instance, “Dirty Talk” by Amanda Scheiderer, is the author’s first published work.

Boyes and Scheckner made their selections through their own reading but also by soliciting submissions through literary magazines. The 42 resulting pieces examine a range of occupations, from physician to chicken-plucker, and from fireman to sex worker.

Boyes said people often write about the bad things that happen at work.

“So many seem to equate bad things with their jobs,” Boyes said. “The cultural norm seems to be that people resent their jobs.”

Boyes said she loved each of the contributions included in the anthology, but notes a few favorites. Among them are:

    “Torch Song” by Charles Bowden, an article originally published in Harper’s about Bowden’s years covering sex crimes for a newspaper.
    “Chicken 81” by Sarah L. Courteau, an article originally published in Witness about Courteau’s mother’s work on a chicken farm.
    “The Midnight Tour” by Marcus Laffey (pen name for Edward Conlon), an article originally published in The New Yorker about Conlon’s work as a New York police officer.

A number of the contributors to “The Way We Work” have a VCU connection. They include Larry Levis, late VCU English professor and poet; Nathan Long, who received his M.F.A. at VCU; Jay Snodgrass, who received an undergraduate degree from VCU; Paula Champa, who received an M.F.A. at VCU; Clay Blancett, who received his undergraduate degree at VCU; and Darren Morris, who received an M.F.A. from VCU.