The Dillon Johnston Writers Reading Series
The Dillon Johnston Writers Reading Series, named after the founder of Wake Forest University Press, brings to campus established and emerging fiction writers, poets, and writers of literary nonfiction each year to give literary readings and talks on creative process, and to visit creative writing workshops in the Creative Writing Minor and other courses at Wake Forest. The literary readings are often followed by a book signing and reception. These events are sometimes coordinated in collaboration with other departments at Wake Forest, with other universities in the area, and with local and state agencies such as the North Carolina Humanities Council.
Visiting authors sponsored by the series include Carmen Giménez Smith, Jerome Rothenberg, Lia Purpura, Tracie Morris, Amanda Ngoho Reavey, Chris Abani, Gabriel Blackwell, Anne Waldman, Alejandro Zambra, Ben Lerner, Renee Gladman, Joanna Howard, Michael Leong, Brian Evenson, George Quasha, Bhanu Kapil, TaraShea Nesbit, and M. NourbeSe Philip. Visiting authors co-sponsored by the series include John Yau, Nathaniel Mackey, Rae Armantrout, Will Alexander, Ed Roberson, Andrew Joron, Madhur Anand, Ciaran Carson, Abigail Child, Jacqueline Osherow, and Kevin Berry. Additional readers over the years have included Maya Angelou, W.S. Merwin, Evie Shockley, Stuart Dybek, Natasha Trethewey, Heather McHugh, Harryette Mullen, Reginald McKnight, C.K. Williams, Julianna Baggott, Carl Phillips, Simon Armitage, Dan Chaon, Owen King, Kelly Braffet, Wilton Barnhardt, Martin Clark, Quinn Dalton, and Adam Zagajewski, among many others.
These readings are open to all Wake Forest students, faculty, and staff as well as to the general public and are popular events in the university’s calendar. Unless otherwise noted, admittance is free of charge. Please see maps and parking information as well as driving directions to Wake Forest’s Reynolda Campus, where the readings are held.
For more information on the Writers Reading Series, contact the co-directors: Eric G. Wilson, Amy Catanzano, and Joanna Ruocco.
Events:
Author Kiik Araki-Kawaguchi to visit Wake Forest campus on March 23
Poet and writer Kiik Araki-Kawaguchi will visit the Wake Forest University campus on March 23, 2023, for a student chat and public reading. This event is sponsored by the Dillon Johnston Writers Reading series. Araki-Kawaguchi events: Student chat March 23 from 2:00-3:00 pm DeTamble Auditorium, Tribble A110 Public reading, followed… Continue Reading: Author Kiik Araki-Kawaguchi to visit Wake Forest campus on March 23
Poet Charles Bernstein will read on Oct. 25 at 5 p.m.
The Dillon Johnston Writers Reading Series will present renowned poet, essayist, theorist, and scholar Charles Bernstein on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at 5 p.m. in the Porter Byrum Welcome Center. A book signing and reception will follow. This event is free and open to the public. No registration is required.… Continue Reading: Poet Charles Bernstein will read on Oct. 25 at 5 p.m.
Poet John Yau reading at Hanes Art Gallery on April 5
Poet, writer, and critic John Yau will visit the Wake Forest University campus April 5-7 to give a poetry reading and participate in a panel discussion of poetics in the art and work of Liu Xia, whose exhibition METAPHORMS is currently installed in Hanes Art Gallery. John Yau Events: Poetry… Continue Reading: Poet John Yau reading at Hanes Art Gallery on April 5
Author Eula Biss to give a reading on April 2 for the Dillon Johnston Writers Reading Series
Author Eula Biss will give a reading for the Dillon Johnston Writers Reading Series on Thursday, April 2, 2020, at 6:30 pm in the ZSR Library Auditorium (404). The reading, which is free and open to the public, will be followed by a brief reception and book signing. Biss is… Continue Reading: Author Eula Biss to give a reading on April 2 for the Dillon Johnston Writers Reading Series
Author Abbey Mei Otis to give a reading on November 21 for the Dillon Johnston Writers Reading Series
Abbey Mei Otis, author of Alien Virus Love Disaster, will give a reading for the Dillon Johnston Writers Reading Series on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 6 p.m. in the ZSR Library Auditorium (404). The reading, which is free and open to the public, will be followed by a brief… Continue Reading: Author Abbey Mei Otis to give a reading on November 21 for the Dillon Johnston Writers Reading Series