For immediate release
September 1, 2000
N.C. STATE HOLDS READERS AND WRITERS MARATHON FOR LITERACY
On Thursday, September 14th, from noon to midnight in Caldwell Lounge on NC State
Campus, the N.C. State English Department will sponsor the Second Annual Readers
and Writers Marathon to benefit the Wake County Literacy Council. This year’s
marathon will feature the work of NC State faculty creative writing member Tim
McLaurin, whose new memoir, The River Less Run, has just come out from Down
Home Press. McLaurin will kick off the Marathon at 12 noon by reading from the
memoir, and then throughout the day other readers will read from his works or their own.
Dr. Lucinda Mackethan, the department’s Director of Creative Writing and author of
Daughters of Time: Creating Women’s Voices in Southern Story, says, “the partnership
between creative writing and literacy is a natural one. As teachers and writers of
literature, the faculty here are understandably advocates of the joys that reading brings.
By helping to create new readers, not only are we simultaneously creating audiences for
writers, but we are also creating the potential for more writers to be born and to flourish.
In this rich and diverse community, everyone should be able to share in the power as well
as pleasure that come with knowing how to read.” Last year’s marathon raised over
$2,000 and honored Lee Smith’s many contributions to literacy.
Anyone who would like to read during the 12-hour event can sign up by calling 5154143. Readers are asked to find sponsors to make donations in their names, or to sponsor
themselves, for any amount per minute. Readers can pick something of their own or the
work of any favorite N.C. State author to read in time slots ranging from 10 to 20
minutes. The event is free and open to the public, but those who attend can help by
making donations at the door. In addition to McLaurin, Clyde Edgerton will read at 1
pm, Lee Smith will read at 3:00, and NC State faculty members – including creative
writing teachers John Kessel, Angela Davis-Gardner, Marcia Douglas, and Bill
Henderson --will read throughout the day. In addition there will be musical
performances, book giveaways, and several Triangle Presses will exhibit their
publications. Parking during the day is available in the city lot or metered spaces on/near
Caldwell and Tompkins Halls on Hillsborough Street. Free parking on campus is
available after 5 pm. For special parking needs or more information, call Lucinda
MacKethan at 515-4143 or email her at macketha@unity.ncsu.edu.
READERS AND WRITERS MARATHON
Thurs., September 14, noon to ….
SCHEDULE OF READERS
Noon: Greetings. River Songs and others with Wanda Ramm.
12:20—Tim McLaurin, reading from The River Less Run
12:45—Wanda Ramm
1: 05—Clyde Edgerton
1:30—Bill Henderson
1:50—Betty Hodges
2:10—Dawn Shamp
2:30—Judy Hogan
3:00—Lee Smith
3:30—Judith Ferster
3:50—Lenard Moore
4:10—David Wyche
4:30—Nora Shepherd
4:50—Chris Gordon
5:10—Kelley Sassano
5:30—Renee Shannon
5:50—Ken Johnson
6:10—John Kessel
6:35—Chris Gordon
6:55—Jim Morrison
7:15—John Thompson
7:35—Angela Davis Gardner
8:00—Cullen Nichols
8:20—Stacy Miller
8:40—Kevin McGowin
9:00—Larry Johnson
9:20—Paul Stapleton
9:35—English Department Weekly Thursday Readers
#