The annual Fall Reading Series (a.k.a., Fall Authors Series) presents a season of events celebrating literature, showcasing award-winning authors, and honoring the inspiration to write. Events are sponsored by the English Department and Creative Writing Program of Grossmont College, as well as a variety of other campus agencies and programs.
Thursday, September 30
Celebration of Banned Books Reading
7:00 - 9:00 PM, Building 34, Room 107
Join Joe Medina of the Grossmont College English Department for an evening of school
and scandal with a CELEBRATION OF BANNED BOOKS, in honor of National Banned Books
Week. Topics change annually in this thought-provoking and sometimes audacious event.
Topics from past years have included Sandra Cisneros, Susan Patron, Langston Hughes,
James Joyce, Sherman Alexie, Erica Jong, J.K. Rowling, Lenny Bruce, Toni Morrison,
Alice Walker, banned children's literature, controversial fan fiction and slash, censored
anime and manga, and many others. This years reading will include students, community
members and faculty. This activity fulfills requirements for Professional Flex hours.
For further information, contact Joe Medina at 619-644-7507, or e-mail him at joe.medina@gcccd.edu.
Thursday, October 21
poet Ilya Kaminsky
7:00 p.m., Room 220 (Building 26)
Soviet born Ilya Kaminsky has won many awards for his book of poems, Dancing In Odessa (Tupelo Press, 2004), named Best Poetry Book of the Year 2004 by ForeWord Magazine and recipient of the Whiting Writer's Award, the prestigious American Academy of Arts
and Letters' Metcalf Award, the Dorset Prize. In 2008, Kaminsky was awarded Lannan
Foundation's Literary Fellowship, and in 2009 selections from Deaf Republic, his latest work, received Poetry magazine's Levinson Prize. His anthology of twentieth
century poetry in translation, the Ecco Anthology Of International Poetry (HarperCollins 2010), was published this year in March. About the Ecco Anthology, Carolyn Forche writes, "This brilliantly assembled gathering of world voices reads
as a symphony of utterance beginning to end, an international conversation of the
highest order, regarding the questions and concerns of humankind, beyond borders and
all other such barriers, real or imagined. Abundant thanks especially to the editors
and translators of this magnificent work." Now a resident of San Diego, Kaminsky
teaches Contemporary World Poetry, Creative Writing, and Literary Translation in San
Diego State University's MFA Program in Creative Writing.
Monday, September 13
2nd Annual Lester Bangs Memorial Faculty Reading
7:00 - 9:00 PM, Hyde Art Gallery*
English and Creative Writing faculty read their original works of poetry, fiction
and creative nonfiction, while paying tribute to Grossmont College alumnus Lester
A. Bangs, who has come into recognition as “America’s Greatest Rock Critic.” Considered
one of the most influential voices in rock criticism, music critic Bangs is credited
for coining the term "punk," and his subversive spirit and creativity continue influence
generations of writers. This year's readers include Raul Sandelin, Jim Musgrave,
Stephanie Mood, Rob Williams, and Julie Cardenas.
Saturday, November 13
Creative Write-a-Thon
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Building 51, Room 575
It's back! The popular all-day fundraising writing event for the Grossmont College Creative Writing Program’s literary arts events returns!
Raise a minimum of $50 in pledges, and receive the following:
a full day of inspirational writing prompts and literary activities in the four genres: fiction, poetry, drama, and creative nonfiction;
continental breakfast, lunch, and H20; 1 ticket per $10 raised for the coolest raffle this side of I-5
an "I Rocked the Page t-shirt";
and at the end of the day: a laptop / notebook full of new work and the warm fuzzy feeling that comes with supporting the arts!
Grand prize is a laptop computer! Pledge sheets available from an English or Creative Writing instructor beginning Monday, October 4, 2010.
Tuesday, December 7
New Voices: A Student Reading
7:00 p.m., Room 220 (Building 26)
The brightest and finest students of the Creative Writing Program's Fall 2010 semester
will take the stage in Room 220, reading and performing their original poetry, fiction,
creative nonfiction, and drama. Artful, evocative, and entertaining—the writers of
the Fall 2010 New Voices Reading will inspire you. Read and listen to the Spring
2010 On-Line Chapbook to read the program 'zine or listen to audio clips of students
performing their own works. Bellisimo!
The Fall 2010 New Voices line-up:
Carly Minor
Nick McInvale
Corey Hadaway
Sierra Bowen
Kate Huggins
Carol Ann Van Natten
George Oberg
Jay Chavis
Brian Cass
Dan Lasher II
Billy Leonard
Stefanie Winton
Ron Salisbury
Tom Maurino
Jay Chavis
May Reese
Enrique Cervantes
Steve Bedle
Marisol Benter
Susan Oertel