Author Joel Christian Gill speaking at the 2019 Evelyn M. Finnegan Lecture Series. Gill returns to University Hall this month for the MFA in Creative Writing Summer Reading Series.
Lesley University’s Summer Reading Series will bring acclaimed and award-winning authors to campus from June 23-30. All readings will be held at University Hall, Room 2-150, 1815 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, and are free and open to the public. They will also be accessible via Zoom.
Graphic Novels and Comics Writer Joel Christian Gill will headline the series with a reading on June 24 at 6:30 pm. Associate professor of Art and chair of the Department of Visual Narrative at Boston University, Gill is the author of “Fights: One Boy’s Triumph Over Violence,” cited as one of the best graphic novels of 2020 by the New York Times and for which he was awarded the 2021 Cartoonist Studio Prize. He also wrote the words and drew the pictures for “Fast Enough: Bessie Stringfield’s First Ride” and the award-winning graphic novel series “Strange Fruit: Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History.”
Lesley MFA Writing faculty will read from their work in nonfiction, poetry, fiction, writing for stage and screen and writing for young people. Best-selling young adult author Tracey Baptiste, along with graphic novelist Carl Antonowicz and fiction writers Hester Kaplan and Tony Eprile will read from their work, along with playwright and screenwriter Jami Brandli and visiting nonfiction writer E.B. Bartels, author of “Good Grief: On Loving Pets, Here and Hereafter.” The series culminates with readings from graduating MFA students.
The public is also invited to the Writing for Young People Open Lecture Series, Sunday, June 25, on how to hook children with humor, which will include a Q&A and nwriting activity.
Find the full lineup with Zoom links at 2023 MFA June Public Events
Faculty and visiting writer books will be available for sale after each reading.
Friday, June 23, 5 pm
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Carl Antonowicz, graphic novel and comics
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Tony Eprile, fiction
Register in advance:
https://lesley.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0sdeihqDotEteTLr1F-GtE7GNmvAAZF8rw
Saturday, June 24, 6:30 pm
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Joel Christian Gill, All Lesley Reads visiting writer
Register in advance:
https://lesley.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMsduGurT0tE9VXmwpO51cegEHuiwrFCtew
Sunday, June 25, 10:30 am-12:30 pm
Writing for Young People Open Lecture Series
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10:30-11:30 | Hook Them With Humor: Tips for Writing Funny Early Readers. Join visiting writer Jamie Michalak, author of “Frank and Bean” and “Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels.”
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11:30-12:30 | Writing Activity, Conversation, and Q&A. Visiting Writer Jamie Michalak and WFYP Faculty Cynthia Platt.
Register in advance:
https://lesley.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcucuCprT4qHd3naUVng5PxD3EaPIfWNhci
Sunday, June 25, 6:30 pm
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Jami Brandli, writing for stage and screen
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Hester Kaplan, fiction
Register in advance:
https://lesley.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0rfuyvqDoiHdCIw5gvItL5T2__WJBUYZXD
Monday, June 26, 6:30 pm
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Tracey Baptiste, writing for young people
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Kate Fussner, writing for young people.
Register in advance:
https://lesley.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwlf-msqDkvG9Riqs-iVO_hQeOhgyUcY82N
Wednesday, June 28, 6:30 pm
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E.B. Bartels, nonfiction visiting writer
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Kate Kearns, poetry ’08 and Janet Hurley, nonfiction ’08--visiting writers.
Register in advance:
https://lesley.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJctd-urrjkvHtyR3p2rnH04qthDdfA8-2rQ
Thursday, June 29, 6:30 pm
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Graduating student readings: Pattie Lynn (writing for stage and screen), Jeff Avants (poetry), Rachel Raczka (writing for young people), Sarah Anne Stinnett (poetry), Patricia Vanasse (writing for young people), and Wendy Weitzel (writing for young people).
Register in advance:
https://lesley.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIuduCrqj8sG910G3s3l79cHjcLer_-PMBq
Friday, June 30, 6:30 pm
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Graduating student readings: Shira Atik (poetry), Pata Dibinga (writing for young people), Jennifer Fitzgerald (writing for young people), Jasminne Paulino (writing for young people), and Sierra Wilson (writing for young people).
Register in advance:
https://lesley.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAofuCqqT0sEtBfV7CsJUz29r3W3dWVoaB9
