Notable writer to read at PSU

  Tuesday, August 28, 2018 10:00 PM
  News, Arts & Entertainment, People and Society

Pittsburg, KS

Award-winning poet and novelist Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, the former Kansas Poet Laureate, will read from her work at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6, in the Governors Room in the Overman Student Center. The event is free and is sponsored by the Distinguished Visiting Writers Series and the Student Fee Council. A reception will follow.  

Mirriam-Goldberg is a writer, teacher, and facilitator who explores how the spoken, written, and sung word can lead to more meaningful and vibrant lives. While she has received an abundance of recognition as a poet — including the honor of being Kansas Poet Laureate from 2009 to 2013 — she will be reading from her new novel, Miriam’s Well: A Modern Day Exodus (March 2018), for her visit to Pittsburg State.  

The novel is a modern-day retelling of the Exodus, in which the protagonist, Miriam, wanders the political and spiritual deserts of a changing American nation.  

“Give Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg a few key words plucked from the audience, and she can create and read out a new poem in moments,” said current Kansas Poet Laureate, Kevin Rabas. “She’s a jazz bop artist of the word.”  

PSU professors say they are excited for the visit.  

“She’s a really entertaining reader,” said Professor of Creative Writing Laura Lee Washburn. “She’s read poetry on our campus in the past, but this time she’s reading from her acclaimed new novel. People are going to have a good time at this event.” 

Mirriam-Goldberg is the author of more than a dozen books, including four collections of poetry. Her poetry and prose have been published in more than 50 journals and anthologies, and she has given hundreds of readings, talks and workshops in the U.S. and Mexico.  

She is also the founder of and a teacher in the Transformative Language Arts program at Goddard College, a master's program on using the written, spoken and sung word for social and personal transformation. She lives in the country, just south of Lawrence, Kansas, with her husband, bioregional writer Ken Lassman, along with Shay the dog, and two intrepid cats.