FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 21, 2025
Sara Jane Carey Earns Honorable Mention in Southern New Hampshire University’s Fall Fiction Contest
Clifton Forge, Va. - Sara Jane Carey, a Library Assistant at Mountain Gateway Community College, has earned an Honorable Mention in Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) prestigious Fall Fiction Contest. Out of over 750 submissions, her story Swallow was selected as one of the top ten and was published in SNHU’s Penmen Review to celebrate the contest’s 10th anniversary.
“I am incredibly proud to have Sara Jane Carey as a member of our library staff,” said Nova Wright, Director of Library Services. “Her creativity and dedication to both her craft and the students she serves make her an invaluable asset to our community. Swallow is a powerful example of her talent, and it’s thrilling to see her work recognized in such a prestigious contest.”
Swallow, a horror short story written by Carey, explores the haunting and dangerous effects of diet culture on body image. In an era where societal pressures to conform to specific body ideals are ever-present, Carey’s story uses horror elements to delve into the psychological and physical tolls these pressures can exact.
Carey, an MFA candidate in Creative Writing and English at SNHU, wrote Swallow as part of her Advanced Studies in Genre Literature course. The piece was inspired by her observations of society's obsession with body image, particularly the increasing use of medications like Ozempic.
“Diet trends, social media, and celebrity culture have created a harmful mindset in people of all ages, so I wanted to explore this theme through the horror lens,” Carey said. “Horror reflects human nature in ways that can be uncomfortable, but that’s often where the truth lies.”
A member of both the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Sigma Tau Delta, Carey is focused on narrative arc, plot, and character development, particularly within the speculative fiction genre. Throughout her graduate studies, she has worked to refine her craft, guided by the expertise of her instructor, Dr. Lisa Wood, a renowned horror author. Carey credits Dr. Wood for her unwavering support and encouragement, which led to the submission of Swallow.
The story went live in the Penmen Review over Christmas break. To read Swallow, visit the Penmen Review at https://penmenreview.com/swallow/. Reader discretion is advised.
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