Piccirillo,PJLiterature Writer
Home Partner: ArtsPath
Email: pjpwriter1@gmail.com
Phone: 814-265-2042

Artist Bio

PJ Piccirillo's stories and articles have appeared in journals, newspapers, magazines, and as syndicated releases and have won several literary prizes. His novel, Heartwood, was published by Middleton Books.

His residencies, which help participants discover ways of writing stories that work best for them, are rooted in rediscovering why we write fiction and in uncovering some of the infinite places where can start. He often helps the writers create their fictional worlds by building outward, in steps, from simple core ideas they conceive in writing, memory, and discussion prompts. PJ also conducts programs for the Pennsylvania Humanities Council at rural libraries, promoting the value of literary art for cultural and personal insights. PJ returned to fiction after 10 years in marketing communications, writing advertising, promotional, news, and technical copy. He holds a BA in English literature from St. Francis University and an MFA in creative writing from the University of Southern Maine.

Statement by Artist

Piccirillo's book Heartwood"Writing is an art for which we have tools to begin at almost any age, in youth or maturity, a way for us to explore relationships and experience place.

A suggested residency would start by looking at stories to see how fiction takes on important ideas, things we often can't see or feel, and how it makes those ideas palpable though a person's unique experiences. We'd find the places our own stories want to come from to convey the traditions, themes, and characters of fiction. Through activities, we unleash ideas from memories, character traits, incidents, or places, mining each participant's unique history for story. Then we'd look at basic structures to give stories form, and I'd share processes that feed creativity.

Our work would be toward each participant writing and revising a short story or memoir, or synopsizing a novel and drafting at least a chapter. We'd refine to strengthen effect, and I'd share various stages of my work. While we create strong images and solid characters, we'll discover how fiction enriches our lives and illuminates the places we live in. In all, we'll help participants develop their imaginative voices and explore themes that they discover are important to them, all the while enjoying the beauty and power of language."
~PJ Piccirillo