Laura Hulthen Thomas
Award-winning fiction writer and essayist
Laura is the author of a book of short fiction and a novel, as well as numerous short stories and essays. She heads the undergraduate creative writing program in the University of Michigan’s Residential College, where she teaches fiction and creative nonfiction. She has led many panels, workshops and critique sessions for aspiring and emerging authors.
Laura holds a BA from the University of Michigan’s Residential College and an MA in Slavic Languages and Literature from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. After holding jobs that lead to great stories—bakery counter seller, diner waitress, wire harness tester for an auto supplier, elder carer, small business manager—Laura began teaching fiction and creative nonfiction at her alma mater, the University of Michigan, where she is now a Teaching Professor. Along the way she earned an MFA from the Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College.
Laura’s short fiction and essays have appeared in Witness, Epiphany, Summerset Review, failbetter, The /tƐmz/ Review, The Cimarron Review, and others. Her first book, States of Motion, was a finalist for a Foreword Reviews Indie Award. The collection was also named a Notable Debut by Poets & Writers. Laura lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Her debut novel, The Meaning of Fear, due from Regal House Publishing in March 2026, can be pre-ordered here:
Laura Hulthen Thomas 