Join the English Club for its annual poetry reading tonight at 6 p.m., in Java City. You can come prepared with a poem to read, or you can just listen and enjoy– it’s your choice! No matter what, it’s guaranteed to be a great night of poetry and conversation.
An English club poetry reading from fall 2011, which was hosted in downtown Bowling Green.
As the semester nears completion it’s easy to become consumed with final papers and projects and let your participation slide– but, I challenge you (and myself) to prioritize and make time to attend these end-of-the-year events. They’re full of great readings and good conversation, and the more involved you are in the department the more enjoyable your time as an English major will be (trust me). If you’d like more information about these events and more, visit the English Department’s Calendar of Events.
Here’s a brief list of events:
April 19, 9 am-3:30 pm at Knicely Conference Center: Kentucky Writers Conference
April 20, 9 am-3 pm at Knicely Conference Center: Southern Kentucky (SOKY) BookFest (Featuring some beloved WKU English professors)
April 24 at 6 pm in Java City: English Club Poetry Reading (in place of their weekly meeting)
May 2 at 3 pm in Cherry Hall 125: Senior Reading & Awards Ceremony
Filed under Connect, English Club, Readings, Reminders, WKU, WKU Events
I’m thrilled to announce the 2013 winners of the Goldenrod Poetry Festival:
1st place: Tracy Jo Ingram, for her poem “Elegy to a Child’s Sleep in the Midnight Hour”
2nd place: Maggie Woodward, for her poem “Six Years Later, a Love Letter”
3rd place: Elizabeth Gatten, for her poem “In a Land Far, Far Away”
Nickole Brown workshopping with Goldenrod finalists.
We began the afternoon with an hour-long workshop with visiting poet, Nickole Brown. The focus of the workshop was the study of the ostraneniye– meaning to defamiliarize. Nickole explained that as writers, our goal is to write about common things in a way that makes them seem new or different. “Children learn the world through their senses,” Nickole said. “And as adults already familiar with the world, we have to learn this all over again.” Nickole tested this by passing around a bag of apples and challenging us to write about an apple as if we’d never seen one before. It was an incredible exercise. As a result, I have a new-found focus on what my goal as a writer should be.
Nickole Brown with the Goldenrod finalists.
After the workshop the finalists went to dinner with Nickole and her mother, along with the English Club co-president Jesse Wells and the club’s sponsors, Dr. Hughes and Dr. Rice. We ate at Micki’s On Main and had great food and conversation. It was the perfect way to not only get to know Nickole more personally, but the other finalists as well.
After dinner we returned to Cherry Hall to begin the Goldenrod festival. All the finalists read their selected poems and Nickole presented the winners (mentioned above). After the awards ceremony Nickole read from her latest work, a collection of poems in the process of being published. The poems are centered around Nickole’s grandmother, a woman teeming with vivacity and charm even when she lay in the hospital, nearing the end of her life. Nickole’s writing was poignant and emotional but full of wit and humor– an unexpected combination that was beautifully executed. I’ve heard from several professors and students that it was the best poetry reading they’d ever been to, and I completely agree.
Nickole Brown captivating students and faculty with her poetry.
I want to say thank you to the English club– especially Dr. Hughes, Dr. Rice, and co-president Hilary Harlan. I know how much time and attention you all put into this event, and it would not have gone so smoothly without you. Also, to Nickole: thank you for helping us remember how captivating written words can be. If we ever forget the passion of writing, your poetry serves as the perfect reminder.
-Rachel
Filed under Connect, English Club, Events, Fun, Guest Writer, Main Campus, Poetry, Readings, Student Successes, WKU, WKU Events, Writers, Writing Contest, Writing Opps
Visiting poet Nickole Brown
What a week for poetry at WKU! First we have tomorrow night’s Goldenrod Poetry Festival, featuring guest poet Nickole Brown who will give a reading. The festival will begin at 7 p.m. with the presentation of Goldenrod finalists and winners! As one of the finalists I am extremely excited about tomorrow night, and hope to see many of you there.
In addition to this, Thursday night at 7 p.m. Kathleen Driskell will be reading in Cherry 125 from her graphic poem Peck and Pock, in addition to poems from her two full-length poetry collections, Laughing Sickness and Seed Against Snow. You can RSVP for the invite here.
-Rachel
Filed under Connect, English Club, Events, Fun, Guest Writer, Main Campus, Poetry, Readings, Reminders, Student Successes, WKU, WKU Events, Writers, Writing Contest, Writing Opps
Congratulations to the 2013 Goldenrod finalists:
MacKenzie Nation
Tracy Jo Ingram
Elizabeth Gatton
Kirby Fields
Rabecca Thieman
Isiah Fish
Derek Ellis
Rachel Hoge
Maggie Woodward
Kristin Ryan
Jade Primicias
Brianna Stewart
Filed under English Club, Events, Fun, Main Campus, Poetry, Readings, Reminders, WKU, WKU Events, Writers, Writing Contest
Don’t forget that tonight there’s a reading at the Warren County Public Library! Information is posted on the calendar for your convenience.
-Rachel
Filed under BG Public Library, Books, Events, Readings
Author Adam Ross during a promo shoot for his debut novel, Mr. Peanut
Note: Because I couldn’t make it to the Adam Ross reading last week, Seanna Wilhelm volunteered to be the eyes and ears of the EMW. If you don’t know much about Seanna, she was the first EMW intern– essentially setting the foundation and expectations for all other interns to follow. She’s had an amazing amount of academic recognition at WKU, such as earning second place in the 2010 Jim Wayne Miller contest, publication in the Zephyrus, and participation in the 2012 Student Research Conference. You can follow Seanna’s personal blog here.
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Every semester, the creative writing department has usually two or three writers come to our campus and give a reading of their work. Wednesday, February 20, Adam Ross visited us from Nashville. If you didn’t attend, as our lovely blogger wasn’t able, shame on you! Unless you had a good reason, then I’ll consider letting it slide.
I brought Mom along to the reading and we sat in the back with Amy Lindsey, Sofi Stone, and Andrew Bergman. If you’ve ever been in the Cherry Hall auditorium, you’ll know that there’s a back row of seats, and a back row of random tables lined up against the wall. We were sitting on tables, which made for an interesting experience.
The reading started at 7 p.m. by Dr. David Bell introducing Adam Ross.
Dr. David Bell, a creative writing professor at WKU, introducing Ross.
Ross then proceeded to read the first two chapters from his novel, Mr. Peanut. He was a captivating reader who drew his audience into his words and his characters tantalizing minds and lives. If you click the link above, you can purchase Mr. Peanut and/or read a description of the novel.
Mr Peanut by Adam Ross, his debut novel.
After about a half hour of reading from his novel, the floor was opened to questions. This lead to him discussing not only the process that ended in the birth of his novel and his adventures as a child actor, which didn’t sound as glamorous as most people might think. Once the questions were wrapped up at about 8 p.m., we had the opportunity to buy his books, Mr. Peanut and Ladies and Gentlemen. I bought both books and he kindly signed them.
Adam Ross reading from Mr. Peanut in Cherry Hall
It was a wonderful reading, and I can’t wait to have enough free time to find out what happens in Mr. Peanut. Make sure that you attend the next reading on March 21, featuring poet Kathleen Driskell!
-Seanna Wilhelm
Guest Writer
Filed under Books, Events, Fiction, Fun, Guest Writer, Main Campus, Readings, Reminders, WKU, WKU Events
Pulitzer Prize Finalist Lee Martin
Back in the fall of 2011, we were lucky enough to have Lee Martin– Pulitzer Prize Finalist author of The Bright Forever and many others– host a reading in Cherry Hall. And let me tell you: he knows how to captivate an audience. At the time I was a freshman, new to all things English and completely captivated. On top of all that, he has some truly impressive writing. That’s why, when a professor recommended sharing Martin’s post-grad school advice, I knew it would a great source to share. As someone who plans to go to grad school (eventually), but also as a student graduating soon, I found his advice extremely applicable. Students, grad students, parents, professors, and anyone else in-between: you’ll find his suggestions helpful. You can read his Post-MFA advice here.
I wasn’t able to attend the Adam Ross reading last night, but I’ve only heard great things. Because this is one of the only on-campus readings we’re having this semester, I’d really like to give it the attention it deserves. So, we’ll be having a guest columnist next week to give us their take on the event and provide us with pictures!
Any guesses on who the surprise writer is? You could win one of these awesome buttons:
English buttons sold by the English Department and the English club. Win a FREE one today!
I’ll give you a hint: it’s a student.
Comment below, or on the EMW Facebook page, and take a guess!
-Rachel
Filed under Events, Freebies, Fun, Main Campus, Readings, Reminders, WKU, WKU Alumni, WKU Events, Writers
There are endless English opportunities happening lately. There’s something that will interest any and every English major– there’s never been a better time to get involved.
1. The 10 Minute Play Festival will be this Friday, February 15th, at 7:30 p.m. and February 16th at 2 p.m. It will be held at Gordan Wilson Hall, and is a free event featuring staged readings of new plays written by WKU students.
The students and works include:
“Hangman, Sing Me a Song” Nathan Gjerstad
“Waiting for God” Meg Kennedy
“Hold Them or Fold Them” Kali O’Rourke
“Reality Mirage” Sebastian Kearney
“Falling” Lynne Hutcheson
2. Next Monday, February 18th, there will be an Informal Meet and Greet with Amy Brack. Amy is a Legislative Editor for the Division of State Audit for the State of Tennessee. At the meet-and-greet, she will speak about her work as an editor and will answer questions. It will take place at 1:45 p.m. in CH 105 (the faculty lounge).
Filed under BG Public Library, Events, Fun, Main Campus, Readings, WKU Events
Wednesday, November 28 – NY Times #1 bestselling author of The Shack, William Paul Young returns to speak about his new book Cross Roads at the Sloan Convention Center at 6 p.m. To learn more about the author and his newest book, visit his website.
Filed under BG Public Library, Books, Connect, Events, Fiction, Guest Writer, Readings, Writers
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