Arthur (BJ) Best, Carroll University faculty

B.J. Best

Professor of English and Interactive Arts 262.951.3071 awbest@360study.net

TEACHES IN THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM(S)

English and Writing Video Game Design Photography Art

Education

  • Washington University, M.F.A.
  • Drake University, B.S.

Areas of Specialization

Video game design, interactive fiction, poetry, fiction, video game theory, interactive art

Scholarly and Professional Achievements

Interactive Fiction

  • LAKE Adventure. Second place, 2023 Interactive Fiction Competition
  • And Then You Come to a House Not Unlike the Previous One. First place, 2021 Interactive Fiction Competition
  • Off-Season at the Dream Factory. Sixth place, 2021 Interactive Fiction Competition

Video Games

  • Radio Ghosts. Game Boy. 2024
  • Space Cactus Canyon. Atari 2600. AtariAge, 2017

Poetry Books and Chapbooks

  • Everything about Breathing. Madison, WI: Bent Paddle Press, 2019
  • Yes. Madison, WI: Parallel Press, 2014
  • But Our Princess Is in Another Castle. Brookline, MA: Rose Metal Press, 2013
  • Drag: Twenty Short Poems about Smoking. Milwaukee, WI: Centennial Press, 2011
  • Birds of Wisconsin. Moorhead, MN: New Rivers Press, Fall 2010
  • State Sonnets. Buffalo, NY: sunnyoutside, 2009

Art Exhibitions

  • Strained Glass. Joyce Paddock Bliss Gallery, Waukesha, WI, 2023
  • New Flock. John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI. 2022. With Joel Matthys
  • Open Circuits. Joyce Paddock Bliss Gallery, Waukesha, WI. 2019. With Joel Matthys

Service to Carroll University and Profession

  • Faculty President (2024-present)
  • Chair, Department of English, Modern Languages, and Philosophy (2018-2022)
  • Co-chair, Higher Learning Commission Steering Committee (2015-2017)
  • Founder and Faculty Advisor, Portage Magazine (2014-present)
  • Chair, Planning and Budget Committee (2014-15)
  • Advisor, Century (student literary magazine) (2011-2020)
  • Vice President, Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets (2010-2013)

Honors and Awards

  • Second place, 2023 Interactive Fiction Competition
  • First place, 2021 Interactive Fiction Competition
  • Benjamin F. Richason Jr. Faculty Award for “excellence in teaching, research, and educational innovation.” Carroll University, 2015
  • Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Award for Yes. Wisconsin Library Assocation, 2015
  • Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Award for But Our Princess Is in Another Castle. Wisconsin Library Association, 2014
  • Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Award for Birds of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Library Association, 2011
  • Winner, Many Voices Project (MVP) competition for Birds of Wisconsin. New Rivers Press, 2009
  • Four-time finalist to serve as the poet laureate of Wisconsin: 2008, 2012, 2014, 2018
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