Author Michael Martone to appear in MU reading series

COLUMBIA — MU's Creative Writing Program will host award-winning author Michael Martone as a guest speaker Thursday and Friday as a part of their year-long reading series.

Martone is the second out of nine guest speakers to visit this academic year. About once a month, noted fiction, non-fiction and poetry writers come in to read their work and lecture on their craft.

Some visitors also give feedback to graduate students on their own writing, said Christina George, assistant to the director of the Creative Writing Program.

On Thursday, Martone will do a reading of one of his fiction works. The title he will read has yet to be determined, George said.

This author has written 12 books and has had his work in publications such as Esquire, Harper’s and Best American Essays, a news release stated.  

He will also discuss writing and editing skills, George said. This part of his visit is free and open to the public.

The next day, Martone will join about six graduate students for a workshop. After reviewing their manuscripts ahead of time, he will go through them one-on-one with each student.

“(The Creative Writing Program) has a wonderful faculty, but the guest speaker workshop offers graduate students a fresh perspective and a new opportunity to engage with their work and each other,” George said.

Author Robin Hemley kicked off the 2011-2012 series in Sept. Other writers will include Christie Hodgen, Melanie Rae Thon, Scott Turow, Phong Nguyen, Deb Brenegan, Jacqueline Osherow and Kim Addonizio.

The director of the Creative Writing Program, Speer Morgan said the series is valuable for those who care about literature within the community because it exposes them to prominent writers who have a breadth of experience.

“(Martone’s reading) offers the community some cultural opportunities,” George said.  “Columbia is a wonderful town for the arts. This is just another facet of that.”