M Shelly Conner, PhD. is an associate professor of creative writing at the University of Central Arkansas where she also serves as director of the Arkansas MFA Program for Writers. Her multi-genre writings examine culture, Black queer identity and self-sustainable living practices and have been featured in publications including: Crisis Magazine, the A.V. Club, NBC News, and America's Test Kitchen's PROOF Podcast. Additionally, her webisode Quare Life was an official selection at film festivals across the country including LA's Outfest, NY's Newfest, Seattle's Twist Festival. Her debut novel everyman won the Nautilus Silver Award in Fiction in 2021. She is currently working on her second novel COUSINS.