Pulitzer Prize-nominated writer Joy Williams, the University of Wyoming's Eminent Writer-in-Residence in the Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing, will read and sign her books Monday, April 6, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the UW Art Museum.
This event concludes Williams' residency at UW. During the past year she has taught a graduate writing workshop, read student manuscripts and directed MFA theses. She has also presented public readings throughout the state.
One MFA student says of Williams, "Joy's endless curiosity is inspiring. Her wonder of all things strange is infectious." Another writes, "Joy doesn't teach how to read; she doesn't even teach books, exactly. Instead, she models a vision so keen and distinctive that you can't help but want to steal her sight."
Williams is the author of four novels, including "The Quick and the Dead," which was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. She has received a Guggenheim fellowship, a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts and the Harold and Mildred Strauss Living Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Her latest book, "Honored Guest," is a collection of short stories. She is at work on a new novel.
The MFA graduate creative writing program mentors a new generation of writers. The Eminent Writer in Residence program, created through an endowment from the state legislature, allows the MFA program to bring extraordinary writers to campus each year to work closely with students. Next year's Eminent Writers in Residence include the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Edward P. Jones; the distinguished poet Claudia Rankine; and the editor of The Paris Review and acclaimed nonfiction writer, Philip Gourevitch.
For more information about the reading and the Eminent Writers program, visit the MFA Web site at www.uwyo.edu/creativewriting or contact Beth Loffreda at loffreda@uwyo.edu.
Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009
