Poet and Inkwell poetry editor Erika K. Stanley, a second year student in Manhattanville's graduate creative writing program, will open our reading series this fall. Stanley will read several poems from her compelling new work -- produced during our Fall Writers' Weekend workshop -- that address the personal as political in her hometown of Bridgeport, CT. 

Following Stanley's reading, the English Department at Manhattanville will welcome the new director of the graduate creative writing program, Mark Nowak, to present from his work on "transnational poetry dialogues" with Ford autoworkers at factories in the United States and South Africa (as well as Nowak's upcoming project with Domestic Workers United for the 2012 PEN World Voices Festival in New York). Nowak will also discuss and read from his recent book, Coal Mountain Elementary.

The event is free and open to the public. The reading will take place at 7pm in the East Library of the Reid Castle on the Manhattanville College campus, 2900 Purchase Street, in Purchase, NY. For directions, please visit the Manhattanville visitors' page.

Fall Writers' Weekend (2011) concluded on Sunday evening with an amazing reading by participants in the workshops taught by Esther Cohen and Mark Nowak -- as well as an engaging group conversation on "What We Carry Away." Thanks to all the fantastic grad students who participated!

Below is the schedule for the upcoming Fall Writers Weekend. Please call the graduate creative writing program office if you have any questions about your upcoming class.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2011

5:30-6:30pm                        Opening Wine & Cheese Reception, East Library, Reid Castle

7:00-9:00pm                        Opening Workshops:

                                                “ENW 5073: Writing Good Stories” with Esther Cohen,

                                                   Chapel Classroom

                                          “Poet’s Craft” with Mark Nowak, Bronson 132 and the Maya

                                                   Lin-designed Environmental Learning Lab

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2011

9:00am-NOON                     Workshops with Esther Cohen and Mark Nowak

NOON                                 Lunchtime in the MA Chapel Classroom (bring your lunch)

1:30-4:30pm                       Workshops with Esther & Mark

5:00pm                               Dinner Break

7:00pm-9:00pm                   Workshops or one-on-one sessions with Esther and Mark

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2011

9:00am-NOON                    Workshops with Esther Cohen and Mark Nowak

NOON                                Lunchtime in the MA Chapel Classroom (bring your lunch)

1:30pm                              READING: All students read poem or short excerpt of new work

                                                 produced during Fall Writers Weekend

3:00pm                             “What We Carry Away” – a final conversation

4:00pm                              FWW Concludes

On Wednesday, October 12, we will again be gathering in our classroom space behind the Chapel at 5:45pm to discuss and brainstorm ideas about fundraising for the future longevity of the graduate program in creative writing. We will be joined by Manhattanville College's Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Jose Gonzalez.

We hope that current students, alums, and other members of the Manhattanville graduate creative writing community will join us in this important conversation about the financial future of the program.

And, as always, if you are unable to attend this meeting, please feel free to email your comments and ideas to program director Mark Nowak.