WestConn To Host

MFA Writers-In-Residence Readings

DANBURY — The public is invited to attend readings by two celebrated writers as part of the Western Connecticut State University Master of Fine Arts program.

At 7:30 pm on Sunday, July 31, distinguished essayist and novelist Phillip Lopate will read from his work at the Westside Campus Center Ballroom, located at 43 Lake Avenue Extension. On Friday, August 5, Rick Moody, author of The Ice Storm, will read at 7:30 pm, in the same location.

Lopate is best known for his wry, complex writing and his bold candor. His essay collections include Bachelorhood, Against Joie de Vivre and Portrait of My Body.

Moody, who is regarded as gutsy and humorous, was the winner of the 1991 Editor’s Choice Award from the Pushcart Press for his debut novel, Garden State. His 1994 novel The Ice Storm was published in 20 countries and released as a film in 1997. Other writings include collections of short fiction and a memoir.

The MFA program presents public readings twice each year. They present the Danbury community an opportunity to hear fiction, nonfiction, screenplay and poetry readings by nationally renowned authors, many of whom serve as writers in residence or writing mentors of the university’s MFA in Professional Writing program.

Launched in 2005, the program enables participants from across the nation to continue working while pursuing MFA studies in a diverse range of creative and nonfiction writing genres through distance learning.

For more information, visit the MFA program website at wcsu.edu/writing/mfa or call the MFA office at 203-837-8878.