CONTACT: Dr. Nancy Nanney, Humanities Division chairperson, at (304) 424-8361.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A West Virginia poet, novelist, book reviewer, literary critic, editor, educator, ethicist, and essayist-at-large will be featured in an afternoon of reading and writing fiction at West Virginia University at Parkersburg's Jackson County Center.

Barbara Smith will give a public reading of her fiction and conduct a creative writing workshop on Friday, November 15.

The reading, which is from 1:00-2:00 p.m., will be followed by a reception. The writing workshop is from 2:30-4:15 p.m. Both activities are free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to bring writing samples to the workshop.

"Our purpose is to promote and encourage fiction writing and the creative arts in central West Virginia," said Lawrence MacKenzie, WVU Parkersburg English instructor.

A resident of Philippi, WV, Smith is a retired emerita professor at Alderson-Broaddus College. She is a graduate of Carroll College and the University of Wisconsin and has served as both writer and editor for many creative writing publications throughout West Virginia and the Appalachian region.

WVU Parkersburg's Humanities Speakers Series is organizing the event, funded with a grant from the West Virginia Humanities Council.  More information is available by contacting MacKenzie at (304) 485-0619 or Dr. Nancy Nanney, Humanities Division Chairperson at (304) 424-8361.