Whittier College will celebrate the literary works of notable writers and artists during the 2014 Writers Festival. This year’s slate includes award winning authors Jennifer Clement, Ismet Prcic, Joy Harjo, Ron Carlson, and Grammy award winning performer Dave Alvin. In addition to giving a reading or performance, each artist will lead a craft talk to discuss writing techniques and other insider tips with the audience.
The festival runs from Wednesday April 23 to Tuesday April 29. Unless noted, all events will take place at the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts, 6760 Painter Ave, Whittier CA 90608, Whittier College. To reserve tickets or for more information contact the Shannon Center, (562) 907-4203 or www.shannoncenter.org.
Wednesday, April 23 4:00-5:00 p.m. – Craft Talk 7:00 p.m. – Reading and Q&A Admission Free
Jennifer Clement, author of the cult classic memoir, Widow Basquiat, will be discussing her latest works and writing methods. Clement’s new novel, Prayers for the Stolen, was a recipient of an NEA Fellowship in Literature 2012 and has been published in 18 countries including Germany and the Czech Republic. Her work has appeared in The London Times, Akzente, The Herald, Poetry London, The Nation, The American Poetry Review, National Geographic, The Warwick Review and The Independent Magazine. Her novel, A True Story Based on Lies, was adapted for the stage and premiered in 2012.
Thursday, April 24 Location: Wardman Library, 7031 Founders Hill Rd, Whittier, CA 90608 4:00-5:00 p.m. – Craft Talk 7:00 p.m. – Reading and Q&A Admission Free
Critically acclaimed author Ismet Prcic debuted with his novel, Shards, winning the Sue Kaufman Prize for First Fiction from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Los Angeles Times Art Seidenbaum Award for first fiction, and the Writers Center First Novel Prize, among other honors. Shards has been translated into nine languages and was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. Prcic co-wrote the screenplay for the film, Imperial Dreams, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this January, winning the audience award in its category.
Friday, April 25 4:00-5:00 p.m. – Craft Talk 7:00 p.m. – Reading and Q&A Admission Free
Harjo’s most recent novel, For a Girl Becoming, was release in 2009. Her seven books of poetry have earned her many awards including the New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas, and the William Carlos Williams Award from the Poetry Society of America. Harjo has released four award-winning CD's of original music and in 2009 won a Native American Music Award (NAMMY) for Best Female Artist of the Year.
Saturday, April 26 5:00-6:00 p.m. – Craft Talk 8:00 p.m. – Concert Admission $30 (concert)
Grammy Award winning artist Dave Alvin will discuss his artistic approaches during a craft talk and will perform on the stage of the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts. Alvin’s most recent solo studio album, Elven Eleven, was release in 2011 on Yep Roc Records. The singer-songwriter developed his style between hard-edged roots rock and folk acoustic material. In 2000, Alvin was awarded a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album, Public Domain: Songs from the Wild Land.
Tuesday, April 29 Location: Wardman Library, 7031 Founders Hill Rd, Whittier, CA 90608 4:00- 5:00 p.m. – Craft Talk 7:00 p.m. – Reading and Q&A Admission Free
Award winning author Ron Carlson has appeared in Esquire, Harpers, The New Yorker,and The Atlantic Monthly. His short stories have been performed on National Public Radio’s This American Life and his works have garnered him a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, the Cohen Prize at Ploughshares, and the McGinnis Award at the Iowa Review. His book, Ron Carlson Writes a Story, is taught widely for its creative approaches to writing.
The Writers Festival is sponsored in part by the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts, the Center for Collaborations with the Arts, the Department of English Language and Literature, and with generous funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
