Gretchen Haertsch
Adjunct Professor
Joined Arcadia: 2000
haertscg@arcadia.edu
Research Interests
I am particularly interested in children’s literature, writing for children, and magazine writing. I enjoy mentoring students and in both 2008 and 2009 received Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education grants for Nurturing Student Scholars in the Humanities and Social Sciences. I guided one student to assist me with my own research for a young adult historical novel set in Philadelphia in 1917. Two students helped me research Philadelphia’s contribution to the Golden Age of children’s literature (post Civil War to 1920s).
Professional Experience
Following years of experience as a professional writer, I began teaching composition, literature, and creative writing at Arcadia University in 2000. I teach at both the graduate and undergraduate level and often mentor students in their creative writing or children’s literature Culminating Activity for the M.A. in English program. I have taught a Classic Scottish Children’s Literature course (2012) for Preview and participated in London Preview in 2010. I have also taught freshman seminar and honors courses. I write fiction and nonfiction for the children’s market with a concentration in historical fiction.
Courses Frequently Taught
- Magazine Writing
- Writing for Children
- Intermediate Young Adult and Children’s Writing Workshop
- Children’s Literature
- Classic Scottish Children’s Literature
- Business Writing
- Communications Writing
- English Composition I and II
Education
- M.A., English, Arcadia University
- B.A., Advertising, Pennsylvania State University
Undergraduate Semester Abroad Program, Manchester University, England
Selected Publications
I began writing for newspapers and magazines while still an undergraduate student. For the magazine market, I particularly enjoy writing profiles and articles on travel, gardening, and history. Recent work includes travel articles for Empty Nest, an article on the history of chocolate in America for Early American Life, and gardening articles in People, Places, Plants and Garden Borders. I also write fiction and nonfiction for the children of all ages and have written children’s textbooks on health and physical fitness topics.
