Contemporary Writer Series Kicks Off Monday

VALDOSTA -- The Valdosta State University Department of English will kick off its 2011-2012 Contemporary Writers Series with award-winning writer, teacher and lecturer Lise Haines, who will visit the campus Monday, Oct. 17 and Tuesday, Oct. 18.

During her visit, Haines will speak to several creative writing students about issues in fiction writing, contemporary literature and professional editing. She will also host several workshops.

Haines will also share excerpts from her published work during a reading Monday at 7:30 p.m. in the University Center Magnolia Room. This event is open to VSU students, faculty and the community.

“Ms. Haines visit is one that our students, the university at large and the Valdosta community can all benefit from,” said Dr. Mark Smith, English professor and department head. “We encourage all students to take part in this opportunity to hear work from an author who has won awards for her fiction.”

Haines is the author of three novels: Girl in the Arena, Small Acts of Sex and Electricity and In My Sister’s Country. Her short stories and essays have appeared in several literary journals and she was a finalist for the PEN Nelson Algren Award.

Haines has also served as a Briggs-Copeland Lecturer at Harvard and is currently a writer-in-residence at Emerson College.

The Contemporary Writers Series showcases authors from various genres of literature. The authors visit the university and share their techniques and expertise with students who seek to improve their writing skills.

Other writers included in the series are Marianne Boruch, Willis Barnstone, Tony Barnstone and Todd Boss, all of whom are featured poets in the Georgia Poetry Circuit.

For more information about Haines’ visit, or the Contemporary Writers Series, contact the Department of English at (229) 333-5946.

Contemporary Writers Series Schedule

Lise Haines
Monday, Oct. 17 & Tuesday, Oct. 18

Marianne Boruch
Wednesday, Nov. 9

Willis Barnstone
Thursday, Feb. 2

Tony Barnstone
Thursday, Feb. 2

Todd Boss
Tuesday, April 3