The Friends of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library and Mississippi University for Women join forces on Sept. 30 to preview MUW’s upcoming Eudora Welty Writers’ Symposium, which will run Oct. 22-24. The theme of this year’s event, “‘This Very Leap in the Dark’: New Beginnings in Southern Letters,” is inspired by Eudora Welty’s essay “Words into Fiction” from her essay collection, “The Eye of the Story.”
Dr. Kendall Dunkelberg, who has overseen the Welty Symposium since 2008, is well-placed to discuss the event which presents the varied works of the visiting authors. He has directed poetry and fiction workshops at The W since 1994 and is the director of the newly-established MFA in Creative Writing. A published poet since 1988 and a translator of both poetry and fiction, he was honored in 2003 as the MUW Humanities faculty member of the year.
This year’s symposium features a diverse group of writers — poets, essayists, historians, novelists and short story authors. Award-winning author Moira Crone keynotes the three-day event in October. The North Carolina native’s most recent work, “Ice Garden,” is a coming-of-age story which explores the journey of 10-year-old Claire who must navigate between a mentally-ill mother and a father whose love for his wife blinds him to his children’s needs.
The symposium brings together Mississippi-based authors as well as writers from Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Nigeria. “Two of the twelve invitees — Lisa Howorth and Michael Kardos — participated in Table Talks earlier this year,” said Friends member Jo Shumake, “and we look forward to seeing them again in October.”
“The Welty Symposium always brings a fascinating group of writers to Columbus,” Shumake continued. “We’re delighted to have Kendall introduce us to and guide us through these diverse works so that we don’t have to make a ‘leap in the dark.’ It’s always a treat to learn about the writers before they arrive at The W.”
The Table Talk session will be held in the second floor meeting room at the library at 314 Seventh St. N. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for those wishing to bring their lunch and socialize before the program begins at noon. The Friends will serve iced tea.
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