Just in time for Halloween, the “MTSU On the Record” radio program presented some eerie poetry, courtesy of an MTSU employee/graduate student, to set the mood.

Bryanna Licciardi

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Bryanna Licciardi, an adviser in the College of Education who’s also working toward her doctorate in literacy studies at MTSU, first aired Oct. 31 on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 and www.wmot.org. You can listen to their conversation above.

Licciardi is the author of “Skin Splitting,” a volume of poetry in which she envisions herself dating some of the most notorious criminals in history.

Some of the poem titles include “Jeffrey Dahmer Invites Me to a Dinner Party,” “On Leaving the Green River Killer” and “Someone Set Me Up with Charles Manson.”

While she’s admittedly a fan of the horror genre, Licciardi said she’s in no way casually dismissing these murderers’ psychopathic behavior or the pain they brought to their victims and loved ones.

“In none of my poems about the serial killers do they come off like cool, nice guys,” said Licciardi. “They always come off creepy, awkward, ridiculous.”

The 2016 Pushcart Prize-nominated author, who writes fiction, prose and nonfiction essays, lessons and articles in addition to her poetry, also talks about the importance of advising students in the College of Education who find writing a challenge.

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, visit the searchable “Audio Clips” archives at www.mtsunews.com.

For more information about “MTSU On the Record,” contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.