LVC Welcomes Visiting Writers for Readings and Workshops

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LVC is continuing its “Writing: A Life” series with public readings and workshops by visiting authors, including Renee D'Aoust.

If you enjoy writing but are looking some extra help, why not perfect your skills during the spring semester through Lebanon Valley College's visiting writer's series?

LVC is continuing its "Writing: A Life" series by hosting two generative workshops this February and March. All writers in the community, from the novice to the expert, are welcome to attend. The events will feature authors Reneé D'Aoust, Shara McCallum, and Adrian Matejka.

Picking up the series on Monday, Feb. 27, Reneé D'Aoust will give a reading at 7:30 p.m. in Zimmerman Recital Hall of the Suzanne H. Arnold Gallery. She will present writings from her recent memoir Body of a Dancer, which provides a look at her life inside and outside of the studio. She will then host a workshop Wednesday, March 1 from 3:30–5 p.m. in room 309 of the Administration Center/ Humanities Center. D'Aoust will help participants create new writing during this interactive session.

Also on March 1, D'Aoust presents at 6 p.m. in Zimmerman Recital Hall as part of the College's Colloquium Series on Memory. Her presentation, "Blood Memory: Reading the Body, Writing the Dance," will draw on her experiences and insight in writing her personal memoir about dance.

Receiving support from the Puffin Foundation and grants from Idaho's Commission of the Arts, D'Aoust is an author with many accomplishments. She also spends her time helping others write. She volunteers as a mentor in the Association of Writers & Writing Programs "Writer-to-Writer" project and teaches online at North Idaho College and Casper College.

After D'Aoust, writers Shara McCallum and Adrian Matejka will visit March 15–16. They will host a generative workshop for the public Wednesday, March 15 from 3:30–5 p.m. in room 309 of Administration/Humanities. Later that evening, the authors will read from their work from 7:30–9 p.m. in the atrium of the Vernon and Doris Bishop Library.

McCallum, author of five books of poetry, is celebrated in the U.S. and U.K. for her work. When she's not writing and publishing her work in various literary magazines, anthologies, and journals, she enjoys working with others to help them grow their own skills. Since 2003, McCallum has been director of the Stadler Center for Poetry at Bucknell University. She also serves as the Margaret Hollinshead Ley Professor of Poetry and Creative Writing.

Presenting alongside her, Matejka is also known for his accomplishments, such as winning the 2008 National Poetry series and publishing his recent collection of poems The Big Smoke. This spring, Pengiun Publishers will unveil his new book, Map to the Stars. In addition to writing, Matejka teaches in the master's of fine arts program at Indiana University in Bloomington.

With these three experienced authors, writers of all ages are sure to uncover some wisdom and new ideas during the workshops or readings. So be sure to mark your calendars, sharpen your pencils, and bring along your writing journal as "Writing: A Life" continues at LVC.

About Lebanon Valley College

Lebanon Valley College is a private, coeducational college founded in 1866 and dedicated to the liberal arts. The College offers 40 undergraduate majors plus self-designed majors and a range of minors, concentrations, and pre-professional options, as well as graduate degree programs in athletic training, business administration, music education, physical therapy, science in STEM education, and speech-language pathology.

The College has 1,608 full-time undergraduate students and 108 full-time faculty. Students can choose from more than 90 clubs and organizations, and 12 study abroad programs. LVC awards generous academic scholarships to those whose high school records demonstrate a commitment to challenge and achievement.