Flash fiction, poetry, science writing featured at Bowers Writers House

October, November talks at Elizabethtown College

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ELIZABETHTOWN, PA (10/04/2012)(readMedia)-- This month and next, Bowers Writers House at Elizabethtown College hosts lectures, readings and craft workshops regarding flash fiction, poetry and science writing. Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at Bowers Writers House, 840 College Hill Lane. It is recommended to arrive at least a half hour before the event, as seating is limited.

In celebration of Homecoming Weekend, four E-town alumni-Patty Cangelosi '11, Matthew Salyers '10, Rachel Jones Williams '06 and Austin DeMarco '11-share their own creative works ranging from history to fantasy fiction at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20.

Novelist and fiction writer Robert Swartwood offers a craft talk/workshop at noon Saturday, Oct. 27, concerning flash-fewer than 1,000 words-and hint fiction-25 words or fewer. Swartwood's work has appeared in The Los Angeles Review, The Daily Beast, Postscripts, ChiZine and Wigleaf. He is the editor of "Hint Fiction: An Anthology of Stories in 25 Words or Fewer," which was featured on NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday with Scott Simon. Reservations are required for this event.

At 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, Jim Tolan presents "Between Worlds: Poetry, Ethnicity and Class." The world of contemporary poetry can be polarized, most obviously between the "page poets," who often are academically trained, and the "stage poets," who are performers, as well as poets. Tolan, an associate professor at the City University of New York-BMCC, investigates how this division is manifested in the poetry community and how urban community college students experience it and are affected by it. Tolan is the author of "Red Walls," and his poems have appeared in American Literary Review and the Atlanta Review.

Seamus McGraw, author of the College's shared read, "The End of Country," holds a craft talk and workshop at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6. McGraw explores the blurry line drawn between truth and fact that the author of journalism and science writing must be aware of. Additionally, he will discuss responsibilities inherent to science journalism and the personal and professional excitement that comes with this field.

At 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, McGraw reads from his critically-acclaimed book "The End of Country." The narratives of energy and discovery have paralleled those of freedom and democracy- the trade-offs between these qualities and ideals have intricate, dynamic relationships. McGraw's book examines fracking and the Marcellus-Shale's effect on the environment. This event takes place in the College's Brinser Lecture Room.

Author and geneticist Ricki Lewis will discuss her life as a science writer, and read from her most challenging and exciting works at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14. Ricki Lewis has built a multifaceted career around communicating the excitement of life science. She earned her Ph.D. in genetics from Indiana University. As a contributing editor to The Scientist, a newspaper read by scientists worldwide, she writes frequently on the latest research and news in biotechnology. Since 1980, Lewis has published more than 3,000 articles in a variety of magazines, and has written book reviews for The New York Times.

Contact: Jesse Waters at writershouse@etown.edu or 717-689-3945.

Bowers Writers House at Elizabethtown College, 840 College Hill Lane, was created with a generous gift by Kenneth L. '59 and Rosalie E. '58 Bowers to support a culture of creative curiosity and foster a new sense of excitement and enthusiasm for intellectual diversity. The Bowers Writers House is an interdisciplinary venue for presentation, performance, expression and study. The programs-from dramatic readings to interactive panels to musical performances-offer a dynamic variety of enjoyable and informative experiences. Visit www.etown.edu/centers/writershouse.

Elizabethtown College, in south-central Pennsylvania, is a private coed institution offering more than four dozen liberal arts, fine and performing arts, science and engineering, business, communications and education degrees. Through personal attention, creative inspiration and academic challenge, Elizabethtown College students are encouraged to expand their intellectual curiosity and are given the opportunity to become an important part of the bigger world through experiential learning-research, internships and study abroad. Elizabethtown College's overall commitment to Educate for Service is fulfilled as students are taught intellectually, socially, aesthetically and ethically for lives of service and leadership.

Visit www.etown.edu for more information about Elizabethtown College.

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