Writers Institute Hosts Fiction Writers Kate Christensen, Valerie Martin, and Jim Shepard

• by New York State Writers Institute

ALBANY, NY (09/10/2008)(readMedia)-- Prize-winning American Novelists Kate Christensen and Valerie Martin to Make a Joint Appearance September 23, 2008

Kate Christensen, winner of the 2008 PEN/Faulkner Award for the novel, "The Great Man" (2007), and Valerie Martin, bestselling author of historical and horror fiction, will read from and discuss their work on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. in the Assembly Hall, Campus Center, on the University at Albany's uptown campus. Earlier that same day at 4:15 p.m. the authors will present an informal seminar in the Standish Room, Science Library on the uptown campus. The events are sponsored by the New York State Writers Institute and are free and open to the public.

Kate Christensen received the 2008 PEN/Faulkner Award for her bestselling novel, "The Great Man" (2007), the story of a famous American artist, Oscar Feldman, a seducer and painter of voluptuous nudes, and the women he leaves behind after his death: his long-suffering wife Abigail, his bohemian mistress Teddy, and his sister and fellow painter Maxine.

The "USA Today" reviewer said, "These characters are wonderfully developed and break the stereotype of the aging female protagonist. Christensen...boldly has raised the bar." "O." magazine said, "Christensen's writing is clear-eyed, muscular, bitingly funny, and supremely caustic about the niceties of social relations, contemporary American culture, and sexual politics." The "New York Times" reviewer said, "Mischievous... funny, astute.... Christensen is a witty observer of the art universe."

Christensen is also the author of "The Epicure's Lament" (2004), the tale of Hugo Whittier, an ex-libertine, misanthrope and failed poet suffering from a terminal illness. People magazine called the book, "A mini-masterpiece," and said, "Hugo is one of the most memorable creations in recent fiction."

Christensen's earlier books include "Jeremy Thrane" (2001) and "In the Drink" (1999).

Valerie Martin, who writes in many genres, is best known for "Mary Reilly" (1990), a novel that retells Robert Louis Stevenson's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" from the point-of-view of a young housekeeper in love with the "good doctor." The book received the Nebula Award of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America for Best Novel, and became the basis of a 1996 film starring John Malkovich and Julia Roberts.

Martin's most recent novel, "Trespass" (2007), tells the story of two young lovers and their families--one American, one Croatian--as they become increasingly drawn into the unimaginable horrors of ethnic cleansing in the Balkans. The "Chicago Tribune" reviewer said, "Valerie Martin is an intrepid explorer of human interiors.... ‘Trespass' is a literary treasure."

Martin received the United Kingdom's prestigious Orange Prize for her racially-charged historical novel, "Property" (2003), about a prosperous female slaveowner in 1820s New Orleans. Toni Morrison said, "This fresh, unsentimental look at what slaveowning does to (and for) one's interior life must be a first. And the writing- so clean-limbed- is a marvel."

Martin is also the author of the nonfiction book, "Salvation: Scenes from the Life of St. Francis" (2001), and three story collections.

For additional information, contact the Writers Institute at 518-442-5620 or online at http://www.albany.edu/writers-inst.

Jim Shepard, Author of Darkly Humorous Tales, 2008 National Book Award Finalist, To Read From His Work September 25, 2008

Jim Shepard, fiction writer renowned for darkly humorous tales, will read from and discuss his prizewinning story collection, "Like You'd Understand, Anyway" (2007), a finalist for the National Book Award, on Thursday, September 25, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. in the Standish Room, Science Library, on the University at Albany's uptown campus. Earlier that same day at 4:15 p.m. the author will present an informal seminar in Campus Center 375 on the uptown campus. The events are sponsored by the New York State Writers Institute and are free and open to the public.

Jim Shepard, novelist and short story writer, is renowned for darkly humorous tales, unusual historical settings, and work that explores the peculiar pain of male adolescence.

Shepard's newest story collection, "Like You'd Understand, Anyway" (2007), received the 2008 Story Prize and was a finalist for the National Book Award. Among the protagonists of these 11 stories we meet the Chief Executioner of the French Revolution's "Reign of Terror"; the first woman in space in star-crossed orbits with her Cosmonaut lover; Nazi scientists searching for Yetis in Tibet; and a Victorian explorer mapping the hellishly hot Great Australian Desert.

Daniel Handler (AKA "Lemony Snicket") said in the "New York Times" that the collection is "testament not only to Jim Shepard's talents but also to the power of the short story itself... serving no agenda but literature's primary and oft-forgotten one: the delight of the reader."

Previous story collections include "Love and Hydrogen" (2004) and "Batting against Castro" (1996). Dave Eggers said of "Love and Hydrogen," "This is one of the most important collections in years because Shepard does so many things that are all too rare in the medium.... Let's hope that Shepard becomes as influential as he should be. He's the best we've got."

Shepard's most recent novel is "Project X" (2004), a probing, compassionate portrayal of a Columbine-style school killing. His earlier novels include "Nosferatu" (1998), based on the life of German silent film director F. W. Murnau; "Kiss of the Wolf" (1994), about an 11-year-old boy whose mother decides to conceal a hit-and-run accident; "Lights Out in the Reptile House" (1990), about a teenager's life in a fascist dictatorship; "Paper Doll" (1987) about an American B-17 crew flying a mission over Nazi Germany; and "Flights" (1983), about a troubled boy who finds the possibility of redemption in becoming a pilot. Shepard is also the co-author with William Holinger of six young adult novels about high school sports teams under the pseudonym Scott Eller.

For additional information, contact the Writers Institute at 518-442-5620 or online at http://www.albany.edu/writers-inst.

"Madrigal" to be Screened on September 26, 2008

"Madrigal" (Cuba, 2006, 112 minutes, color, DVD, directed by Fernando Pérez, in Spanish with English subtitles) will be shown on Friday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m. in Page Hall, 135 Western Avenue, on the University at Albany's downtown campus. Sponsored by the New York State Writers Institute, the screening is free and open to the public.

A love story about a struggling screenwriter who seduces an "ugly duckling" on a dare, "Madrigal" is an intellectually demanding fable by Cuba's leading director. Fantasy and reality blur continually and unexpectedly in this homage to French director René Clair's 1955 film "Summer Maneuvers" ["Les Grandes Manoeuvres"]. Pérez's film supplies an ending that Clair preferred, but which his producers would not allow.

For additional information contact the Writers Institute at 518-442-5620 or online at www.albany.edu/writers-inst.

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