Senior Lecturer
English

Alicia Defonzo

757-683-4037

4040 BATTEN ARTS & LETTERS
NORFOLK, 23529

Alicia DeFonzo is an award-winner professor and author of the WWII nonfiction narrative The Time Left Between Us (Potomac Books, 2022). Featured on CNBC and NPR, DeFonzo has been the literary guest for the 80th anniversary of D-Day ceremonies in Normandy as well as the Battle of the Bulge celebration by the Ambassador of Luxembourg. Library Journal calls her debut book “a deeply personal venture but also one of significant importance now and for all future generations to learn from.”

DeFonzo is currently adapting her book to a limited TV series, a Winner at the Cannes World Film Awards 2024. Her screenwriting has received multiple accolades from Netflix, Disney, MAX, and Marvel Universe jurors at Austin Film Festival (2024), UK Film Awards (2024 & 2025), and Lonely Wolf (2024). A Senior Lecturer of Writing and Literature at 91Ѱ and former Fulbright Specialist, she is a frequent literary guest and contributing writer to NPR programs and regional expert on banned books and literary censorship.

M.F.A. in Creative Writing, 91Ѱ, (2014)

B.A. in Mass Communications, University of South Florida, (2001)

Expertise

Literature
Banned Books, Post-Apocalyptic Literature, Pop Culture Writing, Study Abroad: Food and Cultural Identity, Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter
Creative Writing
Nonfiction narrative, Screenwriting

Articles

DeFonzo, A. "Twisting Facts to Suit Theories": In Defense of Sherlock . Urbinoir 2019.
Defonzo, A. (2018). "The Letters". 0-Dark-Thirty: The Review.
Defonzo, A. (2017). "France in June". War, Literature, and The Arts 29.
Defonzo, A. (2014). "The Camps". The Montreal Review.

Books

DeFonzo, A. (2022). The Time Left Between Us. Potomac Books.

Presentations

DeFonzo ( 2024). “It was Always Going to be Ironman” Lecture PHC Professor Lecture Series .
(October , 2015). "Fire is Catching: Censorship and The Hunger Games" Keynote/Plenary Address Banned Books Week Norfolk, VA.
(October , 2015). Banned Books Lecture Institute for Learning in Retirement .
(September , 2014). Burn the Books: The Fight for Free Expression Keynote/Plenary Address Constitution and Citizenship Day .
Defonzo, A. (February 22, 2012). Banned Books: What you Weren’t Allowed to Read in Public School Last Lecture Series Norfolk, VA.
Defonzo, A. (September 27, 2011). Banned Books: Sex, Lies, and Wizards Honors College Lecture Norfolk, VA.
Defonzo, A. (June 17, 2011). Wild About Harry! Growing Up with the Boy Wizard Hearsay with Cathy Lewis .
  • 2025: Quarterfinalist, Screenplay Competition, Manchester Film Festival
  • 2025: Semi-Finalist, Lonely Wolf Film Festival 2024
  • 2024: Winner, Cannes World Film Awards
  • 2024: Longlist Selection, UK Film Awards
  • 2023: Quarterfinalist, Vail Film Festival
  • 2023: Fulbright Specialist Award , Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
  • 2022: Provost Award for Leadership in International Education, 91Ѱ
  • 2017: Shining Star Award, 91Ѱ
  • 2016: Interdisciplinary Award , 91Ѱ College of Arts and Letters
  • 2016: Shining Star Award, 91Ѱ
  • 2016: Stern Award , College of Arts and Letters, 91Ѱ
  • 2015: Shining Star Award, 91Ѱ
  • 2014: Most Inspiring Faculty, Arts and Letters, 91Ѱ
  • 2014: Most Inspiring Faculty, University, 91Ѱ
  • 2014: Gettysburg Review Conference Award in Nonfiction, Gettysburg Review

Organizational Chart