When you think of WVU Tech, you might picture science, engineering, math, and technology courses. However, students also take a variety of general education and elective classes. Tech offers numerous degree programs in the arts and humanities, and some students even have the chance to take a class from a local author with four published novels and several short stories.
Jordan Farmer, Ph.D., is originally from Logan, West Virginia, and has been a visiting professor at Tech for two years. He earned his bachelor's and master’s degrees at Marshall University before pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Farmer initially earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with the intention of applying to law school. However, after interning with an attorney, he realized that path wasn’t for him. Instead, he wanted to write but wasn’t sure how to fully commit or make a career out of it.
“I’ve always been interested in writing and stories,” Farmer said. “Even before I was old enough to think about stories or narratives in a formal way, I think I was inherently wired that way. I was always reading, always had my head in a book. I wanted more advanced books early,” he explained. “I was supposed to be reading Gary Paulsen, and I was reading Stephen King.”
Returning to West Virginia was always the goal, Farmer says.
“It was really nice, actually, being in Nebraska. I had always been surrounded by creative people in my hometown, but I was never around other writers. I knew musicians and people interested in art, books, and movies, but not writers themselves. It was nice to be in that environment. I liked Nebraska, but I was too far from home. I always intended to come back,” he said.
So, how do students at Tech—many of whom are in STEM-related fields—benefit from the humanities and learning from a published author and English professor?
“It’s useful for my students. They come out of my class knowing how fiction works and why it matters. Understanding how stories and narratives function makes them better in their own fields and gives them a broader perspective on culture and society. A better grasp of character, dialogue, and setting—regardless of their career path—offers insights they might not expect. I can’t promise you’ll become a great writer from a creative writing class, but I do believe the knowledge and skills are valuable,” Farmer explains.
“I think my students are more interested in storytelling than they realize,” he adds.
“There are always two or three really engaged students, some who are curious, and others who just need an English credit. A lot of them are in STEM fields, but they quickly get involved. I think they find the process of writing intriguing. Writing is a unique craft—so many elements come together at once. I think they’re both intimidated and fascinated by that.”
While teaching a variety of English courses, Farmer continues writing novels, all of which are set in Appalachia. His books don’t fit neatly into a single genre.
Two of his novels, Lighthouse Burning and Head Full of Lies, are part of the Harlan Winter series and have been described as country noir and gothic horror. Harlan Winter follows a medical school dropout from a small West Virginia town. The Poison Flood explores a toxic spill at a chemical plant—an all-too-familiar issue for southern West Virginians. The Pallbearer follows an aspiring social worker who lives above a funeral home and finds himself entangled in a crime, forcing him to decide whether to outrun the law.
Farmer says seeing his name and novels on bookstore shelves is an incredible feeling.
“The money and opportunities in publishing are shrinking—more people are getting published, but you really need that drive. I had no real plan B. The criminal justice and law thing—I was just kidding myself,” Farmer said.
While he briefly covers publishing in his creative writing course, Farmer ultimately wants his students to focus on learning the craft of storytelling and writing.
He’s currently working on a new novel, though the details are under wraps for now. Until then, his books are available on major websites and in most bookstores, including IndieBound, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. More information is available at jordanfarmerauthor.com.