Research Interests: American literature; interdisciplinary arts; research methodology; creative process
Social Change Interests: Working-class issues; LGBT rights
Joined Walden: 2017
Location: New York
About Martin: I am a Louisiana native now living in NYC. For over ten years, I have been teaching at various colleges and universities. I have also been a Chairperson and Founding Writing Center Director. I greatly enjoy helping diverse students strengthen their writing identities My new novel, Beautiful Gravity, was recently named a Stonewall Honor Book by the American Library Association and has been nominated for a Lambda Literary Award. My first novel, A Scarecrow's Bible, received the Edmund White Award for Debut Fiction. Through my writing and teaching, I strive to bring awareness to under-represented populations.
Hyatt, M. (2018). Featured speaker at the Tennessee Williams/Saints and Sinners Festival. New Orleans, LA.
Hyatt, M. (2016). Beautiful gravity. Antibookclub. (notes: Novel was a 2017 American Library Association Stonewall Honor Book in Literature and a 2017 Lambda Literary Awards finalist).
My Advice to Walden Students
Be open and honest with anything you are struggling with. That way, I can help you even more.
Why I enjoy teaching at Walden:
Teaching reminds me that we are all lifelong learners. Teaching also forces me to stay connected to my own creativity.
What students can expect from me as a teacher:
I will be honest, helpful, understanding, yet appropriately challenging in order to foster learning.