Living Writers

Living Writers is a master class in how works of literature come to be. The program is free and open to everyone: the only prerequisite is a passion for reading.

Join us this fall — in person or online — as we discuss some extraordinary works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. Feel free to dip in as you please, reading one book, or three, or even all ten.

Apropos of Ezra Pound’s famous formulation (“Poetry is news that stays news”), we try to select works that offer a temporary refuge from the headlines as well as a deeper engagement with them. This year’s lineup is no exception. Several of the writers on our list seem to be asking some variation on this question: How do we find hope in the face of an apocalypse?

Click on each of the images below to view a synopsis and reviews, a brief biography of the author, and our rationale for selecting the book. You can also listen to a three-question podcast with each author and sign up for a Zoom book discussion a few days before their visit to campus. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @ColgateLW.

Please note that Jamaica Kincaid's visit to Colgate has been rescheduled for December 1.

September 8

Severance CoverLing Ma
Ling Ma
Severance

September 15

The Crane Wife CoverCJ Hauser
CJ Hauser
The Crane Wife

September 22

How Beautiful We Were CoverImbolo Mbue
Imbolo Mbue
How Beautiful We Were

September 29

The Stone Loves the World CoverBrian Hall
Brian Hall
The Stone Loves the World

October 20

Essex Clay CoverSir Andrew Motion
Sir Andrew Motion
Essex Clay

October 27

What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank CoverNathan Englander
Nathan Englander
What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank

November 3

TentacleRita Indiana
Rita Indiana
Tentacle

November 10

Possessing Harriet CoverKyle Bass
Kyle Bass
Possessing Harriet

November 17

Weather Book CoverJenny Offill
Jenny Offill
Weather

December 1

A Small PlaceJamaica Kincaid
Jamaica Kincaid
A Small Place

I appreciate that my college is creating this opportunity for me to engage intellectually with prominent writers, along with a Colgate professor and other students of all ages.

Goldie Blumenstyk ’79, senior writer, Chronicle of Higher Education

Questions?

Contact livingwriters@colgate.edu

Colgate Bookstore

All Living Writers books can be purchased online or in person at the Colgate Bookstore. 

#ColgateLivingWriters
Join the conversation on Twitter @ColgateLW