Well, hello!
I began this site as a blog dedicated to an ongoing memoir project about my relationship with my father who died when I was in college. We were a lot alike, and after he died, I found myself embracing much that he loved. Most importantly, food. He was a foodie, a gourmand, an epicure, a snob. He also loved Spam and Beefaroni. I do not, but I love that he did. That project is still underway (and if you are an agent interested in reading it, please do let me know!), and I will certainly continue to track its progress here in this space.
Besides writing memoir, I’m a poet and my first chapbook, A Woman Traces the Shoreline, was released in December of 2011 from Dancing Girl Press.
I happen to be married to a man who makes beautiful abstract art photographs (all header images on this site are Paul Bilger originals), and together we have an artist’s book coming out in early 2012 with Kattywompus Press. His art really inspires me (So does his pasta carbonara for that matter.) and it’s been fun to collaborate on something other than family-making. (That was fun, too.) Please go straight over and check out his other work here. Prepare to be awed.
A third chapbook, Women Who Pawn Their Jewelry, is forthcoming from Finishing Line Press.
It’s been a good year for writing!
I currently teach undergraduate writing in the English department at Penn State. For eight years (2003-2011), I also served as the associate director of their MFA program in creative writing. Sadly, that program is no longer, but the time I spent supporting it cultivated in me a passion and aptitude for arts administration that I hope to continue to grow through other venues.
I read cookbooks and recipes the way some people read Romance novels. Food is both romance and prayer for me. Tell me what you had for dinner and watch me swoon. Let me cook you something and feel the spirit descend upon us.
Yes, yes, yes, Halleluja!
I have a son and a daughter who say hilarious things which I write down and make people listen to as often as possible. They are much more profound and far funnier than I. 
And now, the Official Bit:
Sheila Squillante is a poet and essayist living in central Pennsylvania. She is the author of three chapbooks of poetry, A Woman Traces the Shoreline (Dancing Girl Press, 2011), Another Beginning (Kattywompus Press, forthcoming, 2012), and Women Who Pawn Their Jewelry (Finishing Line Press, forthcoming, 2012).
Her work has appeared widely in print and online journals like Brevity, No Tell Motel, quarrtsiluni, MiPoesias, Phoebe, Cream City Review, TYPO, Quarterly West, Literary Mama, Glamour Magazine and elsewhere. She has been the recipient of fellowships from the MacDowell Colony and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts and nominations for the Pushcart Prize, Best American Essays, Dzanc’s Best of the Web and Sundress Publication’s Best of the Net anthologies. She teaches writing at Penn State.
Just found your blog and sending my best wishes. My father died in 1983, when I was 29. I was in the first year of my doctoral program in education at Northern Illinois University. I graduated in 1987, but I remember incompletes the semester he died. Poetry flowed–I’d write and then be able to focus on my studies. Dad taught History and Mom taught English. Your memoir sounds wonderful.
Ellen, thank you so much for reading and commenting! Very glad to have you here. –Sheila
I am in eastern PA and really enjoyed your essay on fruitcake. I plan on reading more of you r essays, but I just had to comment on that essay, as I adore good fruitcake, as my father did. Grew up with it on the holidays, along with lefsa. I lost my father almost 12 years ago, and my step mom 3 years ago, who was like a mother to me. My mother died when I was 15. About the fruitcake, of which I wish I could have a bite, please if you have not yet consider getting the recipe from your mother-in-law, even if you have to promise not to make it until she does not want to anymore. Some of my grandparent’s and mothers’ (both of them) recipes are gone, as they did not always use written recipes. I really wish I could eat my grandmother’s meatballs again. Have not found any that taste like hers. You would not think finding similar recipes would be so hard, but it is more difficult than you expect. By the way, I have a freshman son at Penn State, and will think of your essay as I drive up next week to pick him up. Have a wonderful family holiday season.
Jenny, thanks for reading and saying hello! And for the reminder to get MIL’s fruitcake recipe! Oh, I can’t wait for my package this year. Happy holidays to you and yours!