New Leaves this year promises a hallmark celebration of Mason’s literary life, featuring two readings by visitors, a reading from new books by two Mason faculty poets, Jennifer Atkinson and Heather Green, and new essays from Tim Denevi. The event also features appearances by the second author published by Stillhouse Press, the first prose writer published by Gazing Grain Press, a Loud Fire reading and visits by editors and agents.
The week begins with Porochista Khakpour, author of two novels, Sons And Other Flammable Objects, a New York Times “Editor’s Choice” book, and The Last Illusion, which was named by NPR as one of the “Best Books of 2014.” She reads on Monday, March 21, at 7:30 in George’s in the Johnson Center.
On Tuesday, March 22, it’s a full evening of events, starting at 5:30 with a reading and Q&A featuring Heidi Czerwiec and Nora Brooks, winner and runner-up, respectively, of a new prose chapbook contest run by Gazing Grain, a feminist press run by Mason alumni. Also featured is the unveiling of POP! by Mark Polanzak, the book selected by the student-run Stillhouse Press as its second publication. At 7:00, a reception honors the new publications and the work of the small presses.
At 7:30 on Tuesday, nonfiction writer Leslie Jamison reads from and discusses her work. Jamison is the author of a novel, The Gin Closet, and a collection of essays, The Empathy Exams.
On Wednesday, editors from Sarabande Books, Kristen Rdke and Ariel Lewiton, come to Mason to meet with student writers. Then, Loud Fire takes the stage at Epicure Café from 5:00 to 7:00, with a reading by students from all segments of the program.
Thursday, New Leaves wraps up as Jennifer Atkinson reads from her new book, The Thinking Eye, from Parlor Press. She will be joined by Heather Green, whose new chapbook heralds the arrival next year of a new book of Heather’s translation work, and faculty nonfiction writer Tim Denevi, who will read from his most recent work. It’s all at 7:30 p.m. in George’s in the Johnson Center. Their event is followed by a celebratory reception.