Ron Rash will speak at Pfeiffer April 7

Friday, September 18, 2009 3:06 AM  |  Printer friendly version | E-mail to a friend |

Pfeiffer University

Admittedly, award-winning author Ron Rash's primary concerns are children and the environment, which are subjects featured in his stories. But the clean prose and lyrical descriptions Rash uses to personify these passions expose readers to an intriguing tableau of Southern culture.

A New York Times best-selling author, Rash will share how he brings his emotionally-charged stories and characters to life during the Pfeiffer University Friends of the Library Annual Author's Luncheon. The event will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, in the Community Room of the Stokes Students Center on the Misenheimer campus.

The cost is $25 for Friends of the Library members and $30 for non-members. Rash will be available for a book signing, and his novels will be available for purchase. Participants should respond by Friday, March 27. To register or for more information, contact Lara Little at 704-463-3353 or lara.little@pfeiffer.edu.

A native of North Carolina, Rash has earned national acclaim for his novels, short stories and poetry. His most recent success, the novel "Serena," was set in the North Carolina mountains in 1929. The plot focuses on newlyweds George and Serena Pemberton, who relocate from Boston to create a timber empire. The story takes several interesting and unexpected twists.

Rash is the author of four novels: "One Foot in Eden," "Saints at the River," "The World Made Straight" and "Serena." He is known as a significant regional writer, but the publication of "Serena" has brought his writing to the attention of a national audience.

The New York Times, Publishers Weekly and Amazon.com have all named his new novel to their "Best Books" of 2008 lists. He also wrote a children's book, "The Shark's Tooth."

The winner of numerous literary awards, Rash grew up in Boiling Springs and graduated from Gardner-Webb College and Clemson University. Since the mid 1700s, Rash's family has lived in the Appalachian mountains. He currently lives there, and finds the area to be a major source of inspiration. Rash serves as the Parris Distinguished Professor in Appalachian Cultural Studies at Western Carolina University.

An autographed copy of Rash's latest book, "Serena," will be given away, along with a chance for the winner and a guest to be seated at the table with the author during the luncheon. Winners will be announced at Pfeiffer's EventsÉ Plus! Cultural program series on Thursday, March 26. For details, please contact Little.