The Syracuse University English Department has announced its spring 2016 lineup for the Raymond Carver Reading Series, which hosts prominent writers as part of one of the department’s largest classes, ETS 107: “Living Writers.”

All readings begin at 5:30 p.m. in Gifford Auditorium and are preceded by a question and answer session from 3:45 – 4:30 p.m.  Here’s a look at the writers heading to SU as part of the spring 2016 lineup:

Roger Reeves – February 17 

What to read: “King me” (2013)

The American poet’s work has been published in magazines such as Poetry, American Poetry Review and Tin House, and his first book “King Me” was named Library Journal’s “Best Poetry Books of 2013.” The book examines issues of love and masculinity, poverty, class and race relations through Reeves’ intense descriptions. He is currently an assistant professor of poetry at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Read his poem “A Mare of Money” here.

Joy Williams – March 2 

What to read: “The Visiting Privilege: New and Collected Stories” (2015)

Williams is an American novelist, short story writer and essayist whose stories are laced with dark and funny humor. Since her career began in 1973, she’s written four novels and five collections of short stories. Her first novel, “State of Grace” was nominated for the National Book Award and her most recent novel, “The Quick and the Dead,” was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. In a September 2015 article, SU professor and graduate George Saunders told the New York Times “She did the important work of taking the tight, minimal Carveresque story and showing that you could retrofit it with comedy that particularly American brand of funny that is made of pain.’’

Read what Williams said to Vogue about her most recent short story collection here.

Brian Turner and Ilyse Kusnetz – March 9

What to read: Phantom Noise by Brian Turner (2010)

Small Hours by Ilyse Kusnetz (2014)

Turner isn’t just a poet; he’s a United States Army veteran. His work is described as haunting and beautiful, and it often focuses on his time fighting abroad. His poetry and essays have been published in The New York Times, National Geographic and Poetry Daily.

Poet and journalist Ilyse Kusnetz is the author of “Small Hours,” and has been published in numerous literary magazines, including the Cincinnati Review and Crazyhorse. Pulitzer Prize finalist and SU graduate Stephen Dunn said, “Ilyse Kusnetz’s ‘Small Hours’ has great range and lyrical precision. She moves from the historical to the surreal to the intensely personal with marvelous control, often blending the three.”

Watch this video of the couple discussing writing and marriage at last year’s Miami Book Fair International.

JoEllen Kwiatek – March 23 

What to read: “Study for Necessity”

SU grad and poet JoEllen Kwiatek received the 2014 Iowa Poetry Prize for her most recent work “Study for Necessity.” She published her first book, “Eleven Days Before Spring: Poems” in 1994. Her poems often refer to the artistic world and her own works emulate carefully constructed paintings.

Read some of her work here.

Colum McCann – April 13:

What to read: “Thirteen Ways of Looking” (2015)

Colum McCann is an award-winning Irish author of six novels and three short story collections. His most recent work, “Thirteen Ways of Looking” has received high praise, including a Pushcart Prize and selection in the Best American Short Stories of 2015. In 2003 Colum was named Esquire magazine’s Writer of the Year for their “Best and Brightest” issue. He is praised for creating an intense sense of drama through his careful shaping of intensely realistic characters.

Dana Spiotta –  April 27

What to read: “The Innocents and Others” (To be released March 2015)

SU professor Dana Spiotta will round out the series with her upcoming novel, “The Innocents and Others.” Her last book, “Stone Arabia” was named a “Notable Book of 2011” by The New York Times and a “Best Book of 2011” by The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Los Angeles Times and Newsweek, among others.

Read her short story “Jelly and Jack,” which was published in the December 2015 issue of The New Yorker, here.

Published on January 11, 2016 at 9:53 pm

Contact Jacob: jagedets@syr.edu