Sand Hills Writer Series returns

Next month, Augusta University students will have the opportunity to hear the printed word come alive at the 41^st annual Sand Hills Writers Series.

This year’s series features female authors Crystal Wilkinson and Darnell Arnoult.  Each writer will read excerpts from her recently published work. Wilkinson is the author of Blackberries, Blackberries, winner of the Chaffin Award for Appalachian Literature. Arnoult is the author of What Travels with Us: Poems, named book of the year by the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance.

The Sand Hills Writers Series provides a unique opportunity for both reader and writer to meet, according to Jim Minick, assistant professor in the Department of English and Foreign Languages.

“Literature comes alive when it comes from the author’s mouth,” said Minick. “The act of reading is mysterious in many ways. The writer and reader rarely ever meet, except intimately on the page. The Sand Hills Writers Series makes that meeting physical. The writers come to campus. The readers hear their words in a whole new way. It deepens the reading experience.”

Minick hopes the event gives his students insight into the process of becoming a published writer.

“I hope students get a sense of what goes into getting the printed word into people’s hands,” he said. “Students will learn about reading good literature, making literature and finally publishing it.”

Following the readings, there will be an informal question and answer session. Minick believes this is a valuable Sand Hills tradition.

“Last year, I was very impressed with the students’ insights and their curiosity and sharpness,” he said. “They had read and came ready to talk and ask hard questions.”

It isn’t necessary to be an English student to attend the Sand Hills Writers Series. The event is open to all students, faculty and community members.

“Last year, one of my students was premed but interested in creative writing,” Minick said. “He was so excited after last year’s series. He kept saying how much he enjoyed the event. He had never met a real published writer before, and Sand Hills gave him great inspiration.”

The Sand Hills Writers Series will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 3, in the Jaguar Student Activities Center on Augusta University’s Summerville Campus.

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jim Minick at jminick@auguta.edu or call 706-737-1500.