Pre-events, workshops mark ECU’s literary homecoming

Through both word and song, East Carolina University will celebrate the region’s literary traditions September 26 and 27. The Eastern North Carolina Literary Homecoming at Joyner Library, now in its fifth year, will offer interactive workshops in addition to panel presentations.

This year, ten award-winning writers rooted in the history, literature, and culture of eastern North Carolina will share their work and their experiences with homecoming participants.

“Meeting with and learning from writers serves as inspiration for the creative spirit,” said Maurice York, assistant director for ECU’s Special Collections, “We hope by adding workshops to this year’s events, that the literary homecoming will nourish and revitalize this spirit.”

Clyde Edgerton, humorist and author of Solo: My Adventures in the Air, and Margaret Maron, author of several mysteries, including Bootlegger’s Daughter, will speak at the event. Also author and musician Bland Simpson; Shelia P. Moses author of The Legend of Buddy Bush; and poet Minnie Bruce Pratt.

Doris Betts, author of many short stories and novels, will be presented with the Roberts Award for Literary Inspiration Sept. 26. Author Randall Kenan, Betts’ former student, will lead the readings and tributes of Betts’ work, along with a musical performance by Bland Simpson.

A host of workshops – from playwriting and poetry to music making – will be offered throughout the day. All events, except for Saturday lunch, are free, but registration is required. Visit the Homecoming online atwww.ecu.edu/lithomecoming, call 252.328.1068, or e-mail lithomecoming@ecu.edu.

To help folks get in a literary mindset, organizers have planned a few free community programs leading up to the main event. They are as follows:

Pre-event schedule:

• Aug. 27, 7 p.m., Tipsy Teapot: A book discussion about Jim Grimsley’s book, Dream Boy, will be led by ECU English professor Will Banks. The Tipsy Teapot is located on Evans Street between Fourth and Fifth streets.

• Sept. 4, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Sept. 4, at Pitt Community College, 242 Reddick on N.C 11: A discussion about children’s literature will be held by Alan Bailey, ECU library science professor, and Sheila Mendoza, media coordinator at South Central High School

• Sept. 11, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sheppard Memorial Library: Barton College professor Rebecca Godwin will lead a discussion on Clyde Edgerton’s book Walking Across Egypt.

• Sept. 12, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Cornerstone Baptist Church Multi-Purpose Room: ECU faculty member Gera Miles and Pitt Community College faculty member Regina Garcia will lead a book discussion on Randall Kenan’s book The Fire This Time

• Sept. 17, 11 a.m. to noon, at Pitt Community College: Pitt Community College faculty member Regina Garcia will lead a staged “readers’ theatre” format from Clyde Edgerton’s book The Floatplane Notebook.

Literary Homecoming Schedule:

• Sept. 26, 7 p.m., Joyner Library: North Carolina authors Randall Kenan and Bland Simpson will read and perform their work. Author Doris Betts will be presented with the Roberts Award for Literary Inspiration.

• Sept. 27, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Joyner Library: Panel discussion: Inspiring Social Awareness for Younger Readers, by authors Eloise Greenfield and Shelia P. Moses; Workshop: Playing with the Facts: Expressing the Message though Genre Choice, by authors Jim Grimsley and Randall Kenan