Roger Fanning, a Whiting Writers’ Award winner, will open the Fall 2012 Raymond Carver Reading Series at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, in Gifford Auditorium. The reading will be preceded by a question-and-answer session from 3:45-4:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Parking is available in SU’s pay lots.
Fanning’s newest collection of poems, “The Middle Ages” (Penguin Books, 2012), chronicles a period in his life when he “suffered with a break with reality, and continues his investigations into the drudgeries, the disappointments and the joy of our daily lives,” according to the publisher. Mary Karr, professor of creative writing in SU’s College of Arts and Sciences, says Fanning’s writing “tunes us in to those minuscule instants of revelation that can keep life from being a long zombie convention.” Fanning’s other collections of poems include “The Island Itself” (1992), which received a National Poetry Series award, and “Homesick” (2002). Fanning has taught creative writing at SU and in the Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College. He lives in Seattle.
Named for the great short story writer and poet who taught at SU in the 1980s, the Raymond Carver Reading Series is a vital part of Syracuse’s literary life. Presented by the Creative Writing Program in the College of Arts and Sciences, the series each year brings 12 to 14 prominent writers to campus to read their work and interact with students.
Fall 2012 Series Schedule
The series will continue with the following authors. All readings begin at 5:30 p.m. in HBC Gifford Auditorium. Question-and-answer sessions are from 3:45-4:30 p.m. Further information is available by calling 443-2174.
Oct. 10: Ira Sadoff, author of eight poetry collections and a novel. He currently teaches at Colby College and Drew University.
Oct. 24: Brian Evenson, award-winning author of 10 books of fiction, including the limited edition novella “Baby Leg” (2009) and “Last Days” (2009), and “Contagion and Other Stories” (2000). He is the current director of Brown University’s Literary Arts Program.
Nov. 7: Mary Karr, professor of creative writing in the College of Arts and Sciences, and award-winning, best-selling memoirist. Her New York Times bestsellers include “Lit” (2009), “The Liars’ Club” (1995), and “Cherry” (2001).
Nov. 28: Rodney Crowell, a Grammy Award-winning musician and songwriter and author of “Chinaberry Sidewalks” (2011). His latest album, “Kin,” features lyrics co-written with Mary Karr and guest appearances by award-winning country music artists.
Dec. 5: Adam Levin, award-winning author of “The Instructions” (2010), teaches creative writing at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago.
