It's not every day students get to "schmooze" with published writers. Starting Thursday, they have an opportunity to meet, eat dinner with and interview three accomplished authors.
The University of Memphis' River City Writers Series begins Sept. 25 with award-winning poet Ellen Bryant Voigt. She will answer questions from students at 10:30 a.m. in room 456 of Patterson Hall. Later, at 7 p.m., she will read from her various books in room 219 of Fogelman Executive Center.
"She is top of the line as far as poets go," said Jan Coleman, creative writing program administrator. "She's well published and well known, and she is an outstanding poet. You know how you read some poems, and you are not sure what it's about? Well, with hers, you know exactly what is going on. You don't have to have a lot of background to know what's going on. It's poetry for everybody."
Voigt is the author of several books including Messenger: New and Selected Poems 1976-2006, Shadow of Heaven, Kyrie, Two Trees, The Lotus Flowers, The Forces of Plenty, and Calming Kin.
The River City Writer Series has been around for 31 years, and Coleman calls it "a link between community and students in The University."
Every year, Coleman said they try to get poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction writers to speak at the events.
Some previous authors include C.K. Williams, Charles Baxster, Eudora Welty, Lucille Clifton, John Updike, Joyce Maynard, Carlos Fuentes, Seamus Heaney, Czeflaw Milofz, Bobbie Ann Mason and Dinty Moore.
Also speaking is Trevor Corson, a journalist and food writer, and James McBride, author of The Color of Water and Miracle at St. Anna. Corson will be at The University Oct. 9-10, and McBride on Nov. 10.
"These are the rock stars of the literary world," Coleman said. "To be able to shake their hand and talk to them in person is a real benefit for the students."
Bethany Reisner, a graduate student earning MFA in creative writing, said she thinks "the quality of the writers are great."
"They are very approachable," Reisner said. "It's fun to mingle with other writers. There are people from different genres of writing. There are a lot of undergrads, and a lot of fans. That atmosphere is great."
Reisner said she is looking forward Trevor Corson.
"I read some of his work, but not enough of it," she said. "It's like a catalyst to get me to read outside of classwork."
There is another benefit to attending the River City Writer Series, said Coleman.
"We have mostly graduate students that conduct the interview," Coleman said. "Then, we publish the interviews in our literary journal, The Pinch. Sometimes they get published in other journals. It's great for the students."
All of the events are free to the public, and Coleman encouraged everyone to attend.
"I ask all my students to go," she said. "It's so much better to hear them reading their own stuff. Gives you an idea as to what makes them tick."
Something else Coleman pointed out is "schmoozing" with the authors.
"We place different students with every meal," Coleman said. "It's great to get to know this person and network. You just don't get the chance to do that. If you are a student who wants their stuff published, you can gain so much by listening to these people. Sometimes it's how that writer got started, how many times were they rejected its hard to get published. They know where these students are. They know what it takes to get published. You can't get hurt - you have to keep trying."
Wes Dunning, a graduate student also working on his Master Fine Arts in creative writing, has been to several of the River City Writer Series.
"I think they're excellent, they really are," Dunning said. "Its great to have established writers come to The University of Memphis. That's what I want to do in the future, so it's good to see what struggle they went through. That way you can see how they managed the writing life, which can be difficult."
Dunning said it is important for students to attend the writing series.
"I'm just interested in seeing them," he said. "They all bring their own approach to reading and answering questions. I know a good amount of people who are interested in writing will be there, but it's just fun, a real good time."
The River City Writers Series is sponsored by The U of M English Department, the Creative Writing Club, Sigma Tau Delta, the Student Activities Council, Academic Enrichment Funds, Public Service Funds, the Hohenberg Foundation, Deborah Talbot and Friends of The University Libraries.
For more information about the writing series, call 901-678-4692.
