Spring Break
American Book Review begins spring semester with Delta Blues scholar
Sarah Guilbeaux
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Features
What a wonderful way to start the spring semester here at University of Houston-Victoria: The American Book Review has had a great start this semester, thanks to Thomas Williams, an award-winning author and Delta Blues scholar.
This successful ABR reading, according to ABR Managing Editor Charles Alcorn, was held on Jan. 24, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the university's Alcorn Auditorium.
There were numerous attendees for this session. Profit Magnet School and Howell Middle School students were in attendance with their theatre groups, as well as students and professors from the university.
In the words of Alcorn, this particular reading was the "best and most attended reception reading that we've had."
There was a great response from the Victoria community, and Alcorn said that the ABR is "gaining traction with the community."
Jeffrey R. Di Leo, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, was equally impressed with Williams and his reading.
"I thought that Dr. Williams's presentation was excellent. He did a fine job of comparing the old Delta music and literature scene to the new one."
Williams is a long-time contributor to the ABR and has written 14 stories, been nominated for the Puschcart Prize, and is also the general editor of the Arkansas Review. He is the assistant professor of English and Creative Writing at Arkansas State.
Like the others previously mentioned, Williams was very impressed by the turn-out of the reading, and thanked everyone for their support and attendance.
One discussion Williams had concerned the novel, and whether this type of book is in danger. He said he believed that the novel still speaks to people as much as it used to, and he said when one novel endures over another, it has to do with something about the human condition universally.
Williams said that his best advice to English majors and aspiring writers would be to plunge in headlong with discipline and patience and to not always worry about the end result. He also said not every day will be tremendous and successful, so the best thing to do is enjoy it.
The next reading series will be held March 20 at noon in the Alcorn Auditorium. The guest speaker will be David M. Oshinsky. For more information, visit americanbookreview.org.
This successful ABR reading, according to ABR Managing Editor Charles Alcorn, was held on Jan. 24, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the university's Alcorn Auditorium.
There were numerous attendees for this session. Profit Magnet School and Howell Middle School students were in attendance with their theatre groups, as well as students and professors from the university.
In the words of Alcorn, this particular reading was the "best and most attended reception reading that we've had."
There was a great response from the Victoria community, and Alcorn said that the ABR is "gaining traction with the community."
Jeffrey R. Di Leo, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, was equally impressed with Williams and his reading.
"I thought that Dr. Williams's presentation was excellent. He did a fine job of comparing the old Delta music and literature scene to the new one."
Williams is a long-time contributor to the ABR and has written 14 stories, been nominated for the Puschcart Prize, and is also the general editor of the Arkansas Review. He is the assistant professor of English and Creative Writing at Arkansas State.
Like the others previously mentioned, Williams was very impressed by the turn-out of the reading, and thanked everyone for their support and attendance.
One discussion Williams had concerned the novel, and whether this type of book is in danger. He said he believed that the novel still speaks to people as much as it used to, and he said when one novel endures over another, it has to do with something about the human condition universally.
Williams said that his best advice to English majors and aspiring writers would be to plunge in headlong with discipline and patience and to not always worry about the end result. He also said not every day will be tremendous and successful, so the best thing to do is enjoy it.
The next reading series will be held March 20 at noon in the Alcorn Auditorium. The guest speaker will be David M. Oshinsky. For more information, visit americanbookreview.org.