Hagy Novel Explores Friendship Forged by WYO & War

Yesterday’s mail brought a review copy of Alyson Hagy’s new novel, Snow, Ashes, published by Graywolf Press. Alyson teaches in the University of Wyoming M.F.A. program and is a WAC creative writing fellowship recipient. The book’s formal release date is May 1. According to the press, Alyson will hit the road for a regional author tour, but no details yet.

Here’s a book jacket description:

The uneasy friendship between Fremont Adams and C. D. Hobbs worked best when both men had a job to do, when they could fall into the rhythm of hard labor. Neglected by his mother at an early age, Hobbs found his way into the Adams family. But everyone could tell he was always a bit off. Fremont resigned himself to watching out for Hobbs, who had the innocence and optimism that can come only from ignorance. After a grueling tour of duty in Korea, however, Adams and Hobbs return to the ranch marked in dangerous ways.

In four parts -- alternating between the Wyoming ranch and Korea -- Alyson Hagy reveals the intricacies of a profound friendship between two very different men. Snow, Ashes is a suspenseful, engaging exploration of survival and failure and of how the most vulnerable among us can have a wisdom beyond measure.

Labels: publishing, University of Wyoming, writers

- posted by Michael Shay @ 10:12 AM 0 comments

 
Deadline Extended for Poetry Out Loud

The Wyoming Arts Council (WAC) invites teachers in grades 9-12 to sign up their classes for this spring's Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest. The National Endowment for the Arts, the nation’s largest arts' funder, and the Poetry Foundation, the nation’s largest literary organization, have joined with the WAC to bring Poetry Out Loud to high schools across America.

Poetry Out Loud builds on the recent resurgence of poetry as an oral art form, as demonstrated by the slam poetry movement and the immense popularity of rap music. The program encourages the nation’s youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance, which help students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and internalize our rich literary heritage.

Last year, 11 schools from throughout Wyoming participated in the program. Kamaria Stephens from Cheyenne East High School won the state finals and represented Wyoming at the national finals in Washington, D.C.

Share this information with high school drama, speech and language arts teachers. Please respond by Feb. 21. FMI: Marcia Dunsmore, Poetry Out Loud Coordinator, 307-746-4110.

Labels: contests, poetry, Poetry Out Loud, students, University of Wyoming

- posted by Michael Shay @ 2:04 PM 0 comments

 
University of Wyoming Dept. of Theatre and Dance offers two plays of topical interest during February:

Spinning into Butter
By Rebecca Gilman
Directed by William Missouri Downs
February 6-11, 2007, 7:30 p.m. (10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and 2 p.m. Sunday matinee)
Fine Arts Studio Theatre
"Rebecca Gilman’s award-winning play is a searing, darkly comic exposé of hidden racism and political correctness on American college campuses. When patently racist notes are tacked on the door of one of the few African-American students attending a rural Vermont college, a crisis erupts that sends the liberal dean of students, faculty, and administrators “spinning into butter” in the name of political correctness.”

The Eight: Reindeer Monologues
By Jeff Goode
Directed by Lance Martin
February 14-16, 7 p.m.
$5 Students & $10 General Public at the door
Sponsored by the Associated Students of the Performing ArtsFine Arts Studio Theatre
”In this wickedly funny comedy, scandal erupts at the North Pole when one of Santa's eight tiny reindeer accuses him of sexual harassment. A media circus ensues, with each of member of Santa’s team demanding to give his or her own perspective on the happenings at the toyshop.”

For tickets, go to the UW box office.

Labels: theatre, University of Wyoming

- posted by Michael Shay @ 12:50 PM 0 comments

 
Award-winning author and wilderness advocate Terry Tempest Williams will read from her recent book, set in Rwanda, Friday, Feb. 2, at the University of Wyoming. The free public reading will begin at 5:30 p.m. in UW's College of Education auditorium. The University Bookstore will offer specially priced books at the reception to follow. A Utah native who recently relocated to Jackson, Williams is a candidate for the inaugural Eminent Writer-in-Residence position with UW's M.F.A. program in creative writing.

Labels: nature, readings, University of Wyoming, writers

- posted by Michael Shay @ 12:43 PM 0 comments

 
Courtroom Helped McKinzie Refine Story Skills

Clinton McKinzie, University of Wyoming Law school grad and Denver-based district attorney, was profiled by writer Karen Cotton in the Jan. 12 "What’s Up" section of the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle. He’s the author of the Antonio Burns mystery series set in Wyoming. He was on the mystery writing panel with C.J. Box, Craig Johnson, and Michael and Kathleen Gear at last fall’s Equality State Book Festival in Casper. We nicknamed that panel "Four Guys (and One Gal) in Hats," because they were wearing their trademark headgear. Little-known fact: if you write mysteries set in Wyoming, you have to wear a cowboy hat (or something similar). This doesn't apply to writers in other genres, although I know at least one poet who wears a black beret (beatnik flashback) and a writer of historical western novels who wears an historical top hat made of beaver.

In the WTE article, McKinzie gave his law background credit for his story-telling abilities. "When you’re speaking to a jury, you learn how to tell them in a way that has an impact on them, so they feel what the victim felt. Speaking to a jury is like plotting a book. You have to keep their attention and you keep them involved. You have to think about pacing and climax."

It makes sense. And also explains why we have so many attorneys writing mysteries and thrillers. John Grisham and Scott Turow, for example.

Labels: Colorado, mystery, University of Wyoming, Wyoming

- posted by Michael Shay @ 10:17 AM 0 comments

 
IRISH LIT CLASS IN CASPER: Stuart Rutten, instructor in the University of Wyoming Honors Program, will teach "Studies in Irish Literature" (ENGL 4600-51) at the UW/CC Center this spring. Offered in Casper and statewide via videoconference, Rutten will focus on Irish mythology, religious works, modern poetry, novels and "rebel" literature from the struggle between the Irish and the English. Students will read the twelfth-century cattle-rustling epic, The Cattle Raid of Cooley or Táin Bó Cúalnge. Queen Medb of Connaught gathers an army in order to gain possession of the most famous bull in Ireland, which is the property of Daire, a chieftain of Ulster. Because the men of Ulster are afflicted by a debilitating curse, the seventeen-year-old Cuchulain must defend Ulster single-handedly. Cuchulain can change shape through superhero-like warp-spasms. According to Rutten: “The class isn't directed only toward history or English majors. Anyone interested in Irish topics should take it.” Rutten personalizes discussions through his photos and stories from his trips to Ireland. FMI: srutten@uwyo.edu; register by calling the UW/CC Center at 307-268-2713.

Labels: University of Wyoming

- posted by Michael Shay @ 9:04 AM 0 comments