From the Director
A new school year has begun, and the Piper Center’s doors are wide open—to students, to faculty, and to writers and readers all over the Valley. Word has clearly gotten out that the Piper Writers House is the center for creative writing on campus—when we aren’t hosting classes or events, the downstairs rooms are full of students reading and working.
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Upcoming Events
Sept. 3
Poet Lois Roma-Deeley
Public Reading, 7 p.m.
Changing Hands Bookstore
6428 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe
Sept. 7
Poet Cynthia Hogue
Public Reading, 7 p.m.
Changing Hands Bookstore
6428 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe
Sept. 9
Novelist Brad Watson
Public Craft Q&A, 1:30 p.m.
Piper Writers House
ASU Tempe Campus
Public Reading, 7:45 p.m.
Lattie F. Coor Hall (170)
ASU Tempe Campus
Sept. 10
Poet Alberto Rios
Public Reading, 8 p.m.
U of A Poetry Center
641508 E. Helen St.,
Tucson
Sept. 13
Author Mary Sojourner
Public Reading, 7 p.m.
Changing Hands Bookstore
6428 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe
Sept. 27 - Nov. 15
Piper Writers Studio
8-Week Poetry Class
"Eight Poems in Eight Weeks" with Leah Soderberg
Piper Writers House,
ASU Tempe Campus
Sept. 27 - Nov. 15
Piper Writers Studio
8-Week Fiction Class
"Driving Stories To Their Best Destinations" with Patrick Michael Finn
Piper Writers House,
ASU Tempe Campus
Sept. 27 - Nov. 15
Piper Writers Studio
8-Week Fiction/Nonfiction Class
"What A Character!" with Elizabeth Weld
Piper Writers House,
ASU Tempe Campus
ALL EVENTS
Piper Friends
The Piper Center for Creative Writing is committed to supporting a vibrant and diverse literary community in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Through our giving program, you can ensure your financial support for our students and our community programs.
Piper Partners
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Piper Writers Studio Has Something for Everyone
Looking for inspiration? Want to know the best tips for getting published in a literary journal? Interested in learning to write for the young adult market from someone whose young adult books have been translated into 38 languages? Eager for advice on how to re-enter those first drafts?
The fall 2010 lineup of Piper Writers Studio classes has what you are looking for—and more.
We are offering 15 inspiring classes—in-person and online—in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Discounts are available for Piper Friends, as well as ASU faculty, staff and students.
Click HERE for class descriptions, instructor biographies and to register.
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Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes to be Featured on 'The Today Show'
Ninth Ward, the first young adult novel by ASU's Jewell Parker Rhodes, has received its fair share of praise. Even before the book’s Aug. 16 release, the Parents’ Choice Foundation chose Ninth Ward as a recipient of its Gold Award. The School Library Journal gave it a starred review, complimenting the “inventive storytelling and the author’s ability to bring history to life.” The story also received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, and the American Library Association chose the book, designated for children ages 10 and older, for the August cover of Booklist magazine.
'The Today Show’s' children’s book club—Al's Book Club—selected Ninth Ward for its August read and Rhodes will appear on the NBC show Friiday, Sept. 17.
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MFA Program in Creative Writing Welcomes Tara Ison
The MFA Program in Creative Writing is proud to welcome Tara Ison as its newest faculty member. Ison is a writer who is already familiar with making smooth transitions. Previously, the author made her living navigating the inclement waters of the Hollywood film industry as a screenwriter before she returned to writing fiction. Ison characterizes her former craft as telling a story through visual imagery, and as a self-avowed “word freak” she would rather work in fiction.
She is quick to confess that she applies some of the skills she honed in screenwriting to her current literary endeavors: “You have very little room for description in a script, and that taught me economy and concision.” The difficult part of the process comes in the subsequent phases of revision, when she “[moves] from expression to intention, to communication.” Time away from the work of art in between drafts helps—“as much time as life will allow,” and a community of readers is also essential to her success. We're excited to welcome her to the ASU community.
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Fall Distinguished Visiting Writers Series Kicks Off With Novelist Brad Watson
Novelist Brad Watson kicks off the fall Distinguished Visiting Writers Series lineup with a question-and-answer session and reading on Thursday, Sept. 9. The intimate Q&A will take place at the Piper Writers House at 1:30 p.m. and the reading will be held at Lattie F. Coor Hall (Room 170) at 7:45 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.
Watson's 2002 release The Heaven of Mercury was a finalist for the National Book Award, and his recent release, Aliens in the Prime of Their Lives, is his second story collection.
When asked in a recent interview with Turnrow Books if the story was his preferred form, Watson replied: "I was surprised, though, at how much fun I had writing the stories and the novella in this collection. More fun than I've ever had writing, period," Click here for the complete interview.
Looking ahead, we welcome poet Nicole Cooley to campus Oct. 6-7.
Click HERE to view the complete lineup.
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High Praise For HFR #46
We're thrilled about this glowing review of Hayden's Ferry Review #46 from NewPages, which called it "one big, bold, brilliant effort" and one of our "most exciting issues ever." Reviewer Sima Rabinowitz raved about our cover art, Halina Duraj's heartbreaking essay, our international section and the diversity of our contributors, among other things. Many thanks to the staff at NewPages; we're so glad this issue has struck a chord.
Click HERE for the complete review.
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Alumni Update
Camino del Sol
Edited by ASU MFA alumnus Rigoberto González, this volume celebrates 15 years of books from the Camino del Sol series by bringing together some of the series' best work from voices that echo the entire spectrum of Latina/o writing.
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2011 Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference
Desert Nights, Rising Stars returns March 3-6, 2011 with new faces, old friends, and a renewed emphasis on developing fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in a true community of writers.
Click HERE for more information.
Trivia Time
After Brad Watson graduated with his MFA in creative writing and American literature from the University of Alabama he worked as a reporter and State Editor for what paper? Answer first to win a copy of Brad's recent release Aliens in the Prime of Their Lives.
Email editor Beth Staples with the answer.
Hayden's Ferry Review
Click here for subscription information.
Looking for a Past Issue of Marginalia?
They are all on the Piper Center for Creative Writing website.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
Let us know what you think about the online version of Marginalia. Send an email to editor Beth Staples.
Stay in Touch
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