Joyce Carol Oates Reading Tonight, Nov. 28

BUFFALO, NY – Lockport native Joyce Carol Oates will speak at Canisius University on Monday, November 28 at 8 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center as part of the fall 2011 Contemporary Writers Series. Oates was originally scheduled to visit the college on Monday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Oates will read from her works, followed by an audience question and answer period. Seating is limited and is on a first come, first-served basis. Doors will open one half-hour before the reading begins. The event, which is free and open to the public, will conclude with a reception and book-signing. 

One of the country’s most prolific and versatile contemporary writers, Oates is the author of more than 70 books including novels, short story collections, poetry volumes, plays, literary criticism and essays. Her writing has earned her critical acclaim and many awards including the National Book Award for her novel them, the 2004 Fairfax Prize for lifetime achievement in the literary arts, the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in short fiction and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Last March, President Obama presented Oates with a National Humanities Medal in honor of her lifetime of literary achievement. She currently serves as the Roger S. Berlind Distinguished Professor of the Humanities at Princeton University.

The Contemporary Writers Series was developed by Mick Cochrane, PhD, professor of English and Lowery Writer-in-Residence at Canisius. The series was founded with a grant from The John R. Oishei Foundation, and continues through the generous support of the Peter Canisius Distinguished Teaching Professorship Program, the Office of Academic Affairs, the Quasi Endowment, the Fitzpatrick Chair, and the Hassett and Scoma Endowments; and with the cooperation of The Buffalo and Erie Country Public Library, Just Buffalo Literary Center, the Western New York Writing Project and Talking Leaves Books. 

For more information on the Contemporary Writers Series, contact Cochrane at 716-888-2662 or visit canisius.edu/writers. 

Canisius University is one of 28 Catholic, Jesuit colleges in the nation and the premier private college in Western New York. Canisius prepares leaders – intelligent, caring, faithful individuals – able to pursue and promote excellence in their professions, their communities and their service to humanity.