Catawba College’s English department is sponsoring a reading by Anthony Abbott, professor emeritus at Davidson College, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in Tom Smith Auditorium of Ralph W. Ketner Hall on campus. The event is free.
Abbott will read his poetry and excerpts from his latest novel, “The Three Great Secret Things.”
Abbott’s books of poems include “The Girl in the Yellow Raincoat,” “A Small Thing Like a Breath,” “The Search for Wonder in the Cradle of the World” and “The Man Who.” “The Three Great Secret Things” is a sequel to his first novel, “Leaving Maggie Hope,” which received the Novello Prize from the Novello Festival Press of Charlotte in 2003. He has written two books on modern drama, “Shaw and Christianity” (1965) and “The Vital Lie: Reality and Illusion in Modern Drama” (1989).
Abbott received his A.B. from Princeton University and master’s and Ph.D. from Harvard University. Although he is formally retired from full-time teaching, he teaches in the humanities program at Davidson. In the spring of 2009, he will teach a fiction workshop at Catawba.Wells to sign ‘Game Called Salisbury’Susan Barringer Wells will return to Literary Bookpost over Octobertour weekend for an encore signing of her book, “A Game Called Salisbury: The Spinning of a Southern Tragedy and the Myths of Race.” A historical recounting of the 1906 Lyerly family ax murders in Barber, located in western Rowan County, and the subsequent lynching of three of the suspects in woods off of North Long Street in Salisbury, the book has been a popular addition to the history of Rowan County.
Wells will be at Literary Bookpost on Saturday, Oct. 11, 3-5 p.m. to discuss and sign her book with interested patrons. Literary Bookpost is located at 119 S. Main St., Salisbury.
Friends book sale
The annual Friends of Rowan Public Library Book Sale will be Nov. 8, 9 and 10. Saturday hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; and Monday (fill a bag day) will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Christmas baskets will be available after Nov. 1 at all locations, Salisbury, South Regional and East branches of the library.
Writer’s workshop
A weekly writer’s workshop will be held 7-9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6 at the Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St.
The sessions are open to all writers, all levels. Participants are invited to bring something they have written, in order to receive constructive feedback in a safe, structured environment, using the Liz Lerman process.
Sessions will be facilitated by author and playwright Sam Post.
The weekly workshops will be ongoing, with no regular attendance requirements. Participants pay a $5 fee each time they attend.
For more information, call Post at 704-232-0923.
Young writers contest
Creative Communication’s fall 2008 Essay and Poetry Contest, “A Celebration of Young Writers” is accepting submissions
The essay divisions are: Grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12, with 10 top winners in each division. To enter, write 250 words or less on any non-fiction topic. The deadline is Oct. 15.
The poetry divisions are: Grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12, with 10 top winners in each division. To enter, submit one original poem in English, 21 lines or less. The deadline is Dec. 4.
To an entry, go to www.poeticpower.com or mail it, labeled Poetry Contest or Essay Contest to: 1488 N 200 W, Logan, UT 84341. Include the author’s name, address, city, state and zip, list current grade, school name, school address and teacher’s name. This is not a contest where every entry is published. There is no entry fee to enter the contest or required purchase to be published.
Teachers who have five or more students accepted receive a free book. Schools with 15 or more students accepted also receive a free book and qualify to apply for one of our $250 Language Arts Grants.
To view the students in your area who were selected as winners in previous contests or to view the schools in your area who were awarded a grant, go to: www.poeticpower.com/Awards.htm.