The New York University Creative Writing Program Spring Reading Series continues in April with a number of special readings and events. All events take place in the program’s Greenwich Village home, the Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House, 58 W. 10th Street, unless otherwise noted. The series is free and open to the public. For further information, call 212.998.8816 or visit www.cwp.fas.nyu.edu.
A schedule of events follows:
Wed., Apr. 1, 4 p.m. Scholars’ Panel: “Henry James’ Washington Square: A Novel of New York,” chaired by Susan M. Griffin, University of Louisville; editor, Henry James Review. Participants include: Rita Charon, Columbia; Eric Haralson, SUNY Stony Brook; Lee Clark Mitchell, Princeton. Part of “The Big Read,” an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts. Co-sponsored by The Mercantile Library.
Thurs., Apr. 2, 7 p.m. Poetry Reading: Sharon Olds, Erich Maria Remarque Professor of English at NYU, reads from her new book, One Secret Thing. She is the author of nine books of poetry, including The Dead and the Living, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award; Strike Sparks: Selected Poems; and The Father. She will be introduced by poet Deborah Landau, Creative Writing Program director. Note venue: NYU’s Vanderbilt Hall, Tishman Auditorium, 40 Washington Square South.
Fri., Apr. 3, 5 p.m. Poetry Reading: Wave Poets. Poet Joshua Beckman’s new collection, Take It, will be published by Wave Books in April. Noelle Kocot is the author of four books of poetry; her newest, Sunny Wednesday, is forthcoming from Wave Books. Chelsey Minnis’ next collection Poemland is forthcoming from Wave; she is also the author of Zirconia and Bad Bad.
Sat., Apr. 4, 7 p.m. West 10th Literary Journal Launch Party: NYU students and guest contributor poet Eileen Myles celebrate the latest issue of NYU’s undergraduate literary journal. Myles’ latest book is Sorry, Tree.
Thurs., Apr. 16, 7 p.m. The New Salon: This event features poet Jorie Graham in conversation with poet Deborah Landau, NYU Creative Writing Program director. Graham is the author of numerous poetry collections, including The Dream of the Unified Field: Selected Poems 1974-1994, which won the Pulitzer Prize. Her most recent collection is Sea Change. Co-sponsored by the Poetry Society of America.
Fri., Apr. 17, 7 p.m. Spring Undergraduate Reading: Undergrad students read from their original poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Hosted by NYU Creative Writing Professor Darin Strauss.
Fri., Apr. 17, 7 p.m. Emerging Writers Reading Series: This series showcases the graduate student talent of NYU’s Creative Writing Program, with an established writer as special guest. Scott Snyder is the author of the acclaimed debut story collection Voodoo Heart. Note venue: KGB Bar, 85 E. 4th St.
Wed., Apr. 22, 4 p.m. Poetry Reading and Discussion: Language for a New Century features Nathalie Handal and Tina Chang, editors of the poetry anthology, Language for a New Century: Contemporary Poetry from the Middle East, Asia, and Beyond.
Thurs., Apr. 23, 7 p.m. Goldwater Hospital Benefit Reading: Senior Distinguished Poet at NYU, Yusef Komunyakaa is honored at this event with the 2009 Jean Kennedy Smith NYU Creative Writing Program Award of Distinction. The Hospital’s Golden Writers also read. Komunyakaa is the author of many collections, including Thieves of Paradise and Neon Vernacular: New & Selected Poems 1977-1989, for which he received the Pulitzer Prize. Voluntary donation. Note venue: NYU’s Vanderbilt Hall, Greenberg Lounge, 40 Washington Square South.
Thurs., Apr. 30, 7 p.m. Writers in Conversation: Jonathan Safran Foer interviews Zadie Smith. Acclaimed British writer Smith is the author of three novels including her award-winning first book, White Teeth. Her most recent, On Beauty, won the 2006 Orange Prize for Fiction. Foer, NYU Creative Writing professor, is the best-selling author of Everything Is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Note venue: NYU’s Vanderbilt Hall, Tishman Auditorium, 40 Washington Square South.