Wilkes University will host its fifth annual LitFest, including a 20th anniversary celebration for the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing, from June 15-19. Sponsored by the creative writing program as part of its June residency, the celebration of the written word features a variety of events including literary readings, alumni receptions, book signings and screenings from program alumni, faculty and guest artists.
All events are free and open to the public.
Sunday, June 15 | 7 p.m. | Jean and Paul Adams Commons
Film Night: “How to Come Alive with Norman Mailer”
Located in the JPAC on the second floor of the Henry Student Center, this film screening of the award-winning Mailer documentary will feature commentary from Mailer biographer J. Michael Lennon and screenwriter/producer Vicki Marquette.
Monday, June 16 | 7 p.m. | Fenner Quadrangle
Faculty Reading
Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing faculty Jessica Goudeau, David Hicks, Marisa de los Santos and Rachel Weaver will present readings of their recent works. Hosted by Shanta Lee.
Tuesday, June 17 | 7 p.m. | Fenner Quadrangle
20th Anniversary Celebration Core Faculty Reading
A selection of literary readings by core faculty founders of the creative writing program Phil Brady, Bev Donofrio, Christine Gelineau, Bob Mooney and Jeff Talarigo. Hosted by Angelique Palmer.
Wednesday, June 18 | 4:30 p.m. | Fenner Quadrangle
Juneteenth Celebration of Black Writers
Featured readings by program alumni and faculty, including Wayne Benson Jr., André Lewis Carter, Angelique Palmer and Tasha Saint Louis. Hosted by Robin McCrary.
Wednesday, June 18 | 7 p.m. | Jean and Paul Adams Commons
20th Anniversary Celebration Scripts and Clips
In the JPAC on the second floor of the Henry Student Center, faculty will present a variety of scripts and film clips, including a staged reading of a play by Bonnie Culver and screenings featuring the writing of Ross Klavan and Richard Uhlig. Directed by Gregory Fletcher.
Thursday, June 19 | 4 p.m. | Jean and Paul Adams Commons
Special Event – Celebrating The 100th Anniversary of The New Yorker and The Great Gatsby:“1925: The Year American Literature Found Its Voice”
1925 is the landmark year that witnessed important works by Willa Cather, Dashiell Hammett, Countee Cullen, Theodore Dreiser, Ernest Hemingway, Alain Locke, Sinclair Lewis and Gertrude Stein. It is also the year that The New Yorker and The Great Gatsby were published. New Yorker staff writer Margaret Talbot and Maureen Corrigan, book critic for NPR’s Fresh Air, will engage in a spirited conversation about the voices of 1925 and how they still influence the way we think and write. Hosted by Julie Sidoni Yelen.
Thursday, June 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Fenner Quadrangle
20th Anniversary Celebration Readings and Remembrances from Core Faculty and Alumni
Remembrances and readings from alumni, outside readers and faculty. Hosted by J. Michael Lennon and Taylor Polites.
- 2005-2010 Alumni Reflection: Matt Hinton
- Core Alumna/Faculty Reading: Laurie Loewenstein
- 2010-2015 Alumni Reflection: André Lewis Carter
- Core Outside Reader Remarks: Ibrahim Ahmad, executive vice president of Viking Press and Chris Tomasino, owner of the Chris Tomasino Agency
- 2015-2020 Alumni Reflection: Wayne Benson Jr.
- Core Faculty Reading: Kaylie Jones
- 2020-2025 Alumni Reflection: Laurie Stephens-Hunter
- Core Faculty Reading: Nancy McKinley
For more information on the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing, visit wilkes.edu/cw.