Wilkes University will host its sixth annual LitFest from June 19-25. Sponsored by the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing as part of its June residency, this celebration of the written word features a variety of events including literary readings, book signings and screenings from program alumni, faculty and guest artists.
All events are free and open to the public.
Juneteenth Celebration of Black Writers: Always, Most of the Time by R. Alan Brooks
Friday, June 19 | 7 p.m.
Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts
A screening of the featurette Always, Most of the Time, written by R. Alan Brooks, with a talk-back to follow. Hosted by Angelique Palmer.
Writers on Writing: Jessica Goudeau and Rachel Weaver
Saturday, June 20 | 7 p.m.
Jean and Paul Adams Commons
Authors/faculty mentors Jessica Goudeau and Rachel Weaver talk about their new books. Goudeau’s murder mystery A Zoom with a View, written under the pseudonym Jess Cannon, was called “one packed piece of crime fiction, certain to bedazzle any and all mystery readers” (First Clue Reviews). Weaver’s nonfiction book Dizzy offers an account of her 20-year nightmare of undiagnosed vertigo and was described by NPR’s Maureen Corrigan as a “high-stakes story…spiked with moments of uncommon wisdom.” Weaver will also discuss her brand-new novel The Last Run, released on June 9. Hosted by Christine Renee Miller, with a book signing to follow.
Film Night: The Magic Hour by Jackie Christy
Sunday, June 21 | 7 p.m.
Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts
A screening of the film The Magic Hour, written and directed by Jackie Christy, with a talk-back to follow. Hosted by Christine Renee Miller.
Faculty Reading: Word to Word
Monday, June 22 | 7 p.m.
Fenner Quadrangle
A roundtable reading, word-to-word style, featuring poetry faculty Philip Brady, Christine Gelineau, Shanta Lee Honeycutt, Angelique Palmer and Billie Tadros.
Faculty/Visiting Writer Reading
Tuesday, June 23 | 7 p.m.
Fenner Quadrangle
Readings by visiting writer Kirsten Kaschock and faculty mentors Bev Donofrio, Ru Freeman, Jackie Fowler and Robert Mooney. Hosted by Julie Sidoni.
Scripts and Clips
Wednesday, June 24 | 7 p.m.
Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts
Film clips and stage readings from the work of faculty mentors Alice O’Neill and Gregory Fletcher, along with alumna Rachel Strayer. Hosted by Mandy Pennington.
Featured Readings
Thursday, June 25 | 7 p.m.
Fenner Quadrangle
Readings by visiting writers Alia Hanna Habib, Jamal Hodges, Hester Kaplan and Sophfronia Scott.