Kerouac Writer-in-Residence Presents Free Program for Public, Campus
02/04/2016
Contacts: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu and Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
Media Advisory
Tuesday, Feb. 9, 5pm
What: Best-selling author Steve Almond, UMass Lowell’s 2016 Jack Kerouac Writer-in-Residence, will present a free program for the campus and the community.
Almond – known for his insightful, often irreverent take on life – will talk about his creative process, read from his work, which includes three New York Times bestsellers, and answer questions from the audience at the event. Following the speaking program, he will sign copies of his books, which will be available at the event.
Almond’s most recent work is, “Against Football: One Fan’s Reluctant Manifesto,” which tackles the subject of America’s fascination with the sometimes brutal sport. In addition to “Against Football,” Almond’s bestsellers include “(Not That You Asked) Rants, Exploits and Obsessions” and “Candyfreak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America,” the tale of his cross-country exploration of candy factories. His work also includes short stories published in the Best American and Pushcart anthologies and his story collection, “God Bless America,” won the Paterson Prize for Fiction. Before writing his first book, “My Life in Heavy Metal,” Almond worked as a newspaper reporter in Texas and Florida and his writing continues to appear in publications including the New York Times Magazine and GQ. He can be heard on shows such as National Public Radio’s “Here and Now.”
His literary heroes include author Kurt Vonnegut and Lowell native Jack Kerouac. Through the UMass Lowell’s Kerouac Writer-in-Residence program, part of the university’s Jack and Stella Kerouac Center for the Public Humanities at UMass Lowell, Almond is presenting the Feb. 9 program and teaching courses to UMass Lowell students this semester on topics including nonfiction writing. He was recommended for the honor by best-selling author Andre Dubus III, a member of UMass Lowell’s English Department faculty.
Where: O’Leary Library Learning Commons, Room 222, South Campus, 61 Wilder St., Lowell. Please contact UMass Lowell media relations for directions and parking information.