17th International Conference on the Short Story in English

17 - 21 June, 2025

Writers - Surnames R


Katharine Crawford Robey

Katharine loves to write for children because she believes that early reading is the pathway to success in life.

Katharine was first published in “Cricket” magazine in 1992. That story, “Fireworks!” set in Frankfort, Michigan, USA, was reprinted in Milkweed Edition’s anthology, “The Great Lakes: A Literary Field Guide.” “Fireworks!” has been read by over 300,000 young students on standardized tests. “Fireworks!” and Katharine’s other short stories (likewise anthologized or published in literary magazines) can be found in her book, “Cardinal Coat: A Collection for Everyone.” Katharine has published four picture books to date, with more on the way. “Hare and the Big Green Lawn” (illustrated by Larry MacDougall; Rising Moon 2006) is about a rabbit who moves from the country to the suburbs and decides to turn his big green lawn into a meadow. “Where’s the Party?” (illustrated by Kate Endle; Charlesbridge, 2011) is about Kate who finds a party for ducklings by listening for clues the birds give her. “Where’s the Party?” is also available as an ebook, complete with audio birdsongs.   “The Sleeping Bear Wakes Up” (Illustrated by Julie Copiz; Mission Point Press, 2019) is a sequel to the Native American legend “The Sleeping Bear.” “Tor & Raven Are Friends” (Co-Author Tracy Mikowski; Mission Point Press, 2022) is about an unlikely friendship between a large white dog and a raven. The story was inspired by the real friendship of the two characters. Katharine also writes short stories and plays for adults. She is seeking the production of her latest play, “First Harvest.” Katharine is currently working on a new picture book, “Little Rabbit and the Moon;” and a screen play about John and Lucy Audubon, “Sky Dance. Katharine teaches creative writing to children in summers in Empire, Michigan. The remainder of the year, she leads a workshop for adults in her hometown, Atlanta, Georgia. Her hobbies include birdwatching and playing the violin. Katharine and her husband, Ron, have two grown married children and four grandchildren. Included in the Robey family is their mischievous standard poodle, Willa Cather Robey, who devours literature literally!

Olga Rojer

Olga Elaine Rojer is Associate Professor Emerita of World Languages and Cultures. Her teaching and research interests include modern German history, literature and film, Dutch Caribbean studies, and literary translation. Her recent research has emphasized the literature of the Caribbean creole language Papiamentu and post-colonial literature in Dutch. She is the architect of the wellreceived translation series Founding Fictions of the Dutch Caribbean, which introduces to English-language readers classic and popular fiction from her native region. The three volumes in the series include: Founding Fictions of the Dutch Caribbean. Diana Lebacs’ The Longest Month (De Langste Maand) (2022); Founding Fictions of the Dutch Caribbean: Carel de Haseth’s Slave and Master (Katibu di Shon). A Dual-Language Edition (2012); and Founding Fictions of the Dutch Caribbean: Cola Debrot’s My Black Sister (Mijn zuster de negerin) and Boeli van Leeuwen’s A Stranger on Earth (Een vreemdeling op aarde) (2007). Her early research focused on the German-Jewish Diaspora in Argentina. She is the author of Exile in Argentina: 1933-1945 (1989). Rojer was former Department Chair and German Studies Program Director. She is also an award-winning screenwriter. Languages: Dutch, German, Papiamentu, Spanish.



Jay Ruud

Jay Ruud is the author of a new series of mystery novels revolving around the legend Robin Hood, the third of which, Treasure of Sherwood, was published in 2024. He has previously written a six-volume mystery series set in the court of King Arthur, featuring the venerable court spellbinder Merlin and his young assistant, the page Gildas, who investigate the crimes.

He has also authored four previous books of literary criticism and scholarship (one on Chaucer, one on Dante, one on Tolkien, and an Encyclopedia of Medieval Literature), in addition to several dozen articles on topics like Arthurian literature, Tolkien, Chaucer, the mystic Julian of Norwich, and medieval drama.

He is retired from his position as Professor and Chair of the English department at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, prior to which he was Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota.




International Conference on the Short Story in English 2025

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