How to go
What: Joyce Carol Oates, The Dr. Allen J. Koppenhaver Literary Lecture
Where: Wittenberg University’s Weaver Chapel, Springfield
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday
Cost: Free
More info: 937-327-7464 or go to www.wittenberg.edu/arts/wittseries
Joyce Carol Oates has given voices to a unique range of characters in her 50 years as a best-selling writer. Now the author will lend her own voice for an evening.
Oates will be the guest speaker at the annual Dr. Allen J. Koppenhaver Literary Lecture at Wittenberg University’s Weaver Chapel at 7:30 p.m. Monday.
The event is part of the 32nd annual Wittenberg Series and is free and open to the public.
She’ll read a short story called “Mastiff” from her latest book of short stories and discuss her approach to writing fiction, with 40 novels about complicated American lives and relationships to her credit, garnering a slew of national awards, including three Pulitzer Prize-nominated works.
Oates said presenting to a literary or academic audience is exciting and hopefully will be inspiring.
“These are likely to be well-read and intellectual audiences with a genuine interest in the subject,” she said. “Often there are young poets and writers in the audience, to whom I particularly speak.”
Oates has also authored novellas, short stories, dramas, poetry and even young adult and children’s fiction at a prolific pace. Even at age 76 she’s far from finished.
“I feel that I have many worthwhile stories to tell. There are countless stories in America at the present time. I will probably never exhaust the subjects in which I am vitally interested,” she said.
This means the possibility of different writing challenges. Oates said one of her newest projects is a memoir called “The Lost Landscape: A Writer’s Memoir,” in which she’ll describe her becoming a writer from her childhood farm life to school without “romanticizing the difficulties, doubts and occasional despair of my experience.”
While she’s appreciative of all the critical recognition, it’s the attention of her audience that Oates values most. Wittenberg will provide such an environment.
“I am grateful simply to have engaged readers.”
The session will include a question-and-answer session.
A colloquium will precede the lecture at 4 p.m. Monday in the Bayley Auditorium in the Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center on the Wittenberg campus.
The Wittenberg Series offers a number of lectures and performances throughout the year for no cost.
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