2015 Living Writers Schedule
The Muhlenberg College English Department offered the semester-long course Living Writers in Fall 2015, celebrating the 20th year of the program by bringing burgeoning and established authors to campus. In addition to interaction with students, each author held a public reading and book signing, both of which were open to the public.
Students enrolled in the course read recent works from the selected authors and then interacted with the writers directly as they visited campus for a day. Writers attended classes, had lunch with students and then gave a public reading of their work in the evening.
Fall 2015 Schedule:
All readings, except for Gaiman's, were free of charge.
Patricia Smith, poet
Sept. 14, 7 p.m. - Miller Forum, Moyer Hall
Patricia Smith is the author of 6 poetry collections. More so, with 4 National Poetry Slam individual champions, Patricia is considered one of the world's best spoken word performers.
The Living Writers class is reading Blood Dazzler, which chronicles the emotional, physical and human toll exacted by Hurricane Katrina. This collection was a finalist for the 2008 National Book Award.
Stephen Kuusisto, memoirist and poet
September 28, 7 p.m. - Miller Forum, Moyer Hall
Stephen Kuusisto is the author of two memoirs and two collections of poetry. Blind since birth, Kuusisto speaks widely on diversity, disability education and public policy. He directs the Renee Crown University Honors Program at Syracuse University.
Living Writers students are reading Kuusisto's second memoir, Eavesdropping: A Memoir of Blindness and Listening. This book focuses on the art of perception, listening and the willingness to be surprised.
Read Kuusisto's blog post about his visit to campus.
Maggie Shipstead, novelist
Oct. 19, 7 p.m. - Miller Forum, Moyer Hall
Maggie Shipstead is the author of two novels. Her first novel won the L.A. Times Book Prize for First Fiction and the Dylan Thomas Prize.
Living Writers students are reading her second novel, Astonish Me, which is set in the world of ballet and focuses on classic themes in all novels, love, betrayal and obsession.
Aracelis Girmay, poet
Nov. 2, 7 p.m. - Miller Forum, Moyer Hall
Aracelis Girmay is the author of three poetry collections. She was born and raised in Southern California but describes herself as a woman with roots in Puerto Rico, Eritrea and African America.
Living Writers students are reading Kingdom Anamalia, which won the Isabella Gardiner Award and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Award. Her poems are interested in issues of transformation, loss and love, both private and public.
Neil Gaiman, author of fiction, graphic novelist
Nov. 16, 7 p.m. - Empie Theatre, Center for the Arts - sold out
Neil Gaiman is the best-selling author of fiction for adults and children. He is probably best known for his children's book, Coraline, which was made into a movie, his Newberry Award winning, The Graveyard Book, and the New York Times best-sellers, Anansi Boys and The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
Living Writers students are reading his most recent short story collection, Trigger Warnings, which, like all of Gaiman's work, tips to dark and at times disturbing fantasy.
Phil Klay, author of short fiction
Nov. 30, 7 p.m. - Miller Forum, Moyer Hall
Phil Klay's first published book, a short story collection, entitled Redeployment, won the 2015 National Book Award. The short stories take place in Iraq and describe the experiences of the soldiers there. Phil is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in Iraq's Anbar Province from January 2007 to February 2008 as a Public Affairs Officer.
Living Writers students are reading Redeployment.
Started in 1994, “Living Writers” is a course offered once every three years which brings six established and emerging writers to Muhlenberg College. The students read their recent works and then interact with the authors directly as they visit campus for a day. The writers come to class, have lunch with students and then give a public reading of their work in the evening. Each writer is interviewed on the college’s radio station and written up in the local newspaper. Their visit is a community event. In the past we have had the honor of hosting David Sedaris, Jonathan Franzen, Gary Snyder, Adrienne Rich, Francine Prose, Galway Kinnell, Robert Pinsky, Michael Ondaatje, and Phillip Levine.
The 2013 Living Writers series includes lectures by novelist Cristina García; novelist, journalist and playwright Colm Toibin; poet and environmentalist Patrick Lawler; poet Kay Ryan; poet Terrance Hayes; and graphic novelist Chris Ware. To listen to interviews with the writers, please visit our Soundcloud page.
Other Living Writers have included:
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Dannie Abse |
Nicholas Delbanco |
John McGahern |
