Literary Festival Returns To OU This Week

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Tomorrow marks the 28th Spring Literary Festival at Ohio University, and fest coordinator David Wanczyk says it’s not just for the bookworms.

According to Wanczyk, the visiting authors, who are scheduled to speak on subjects ranging from animals to health and healing, will give appealing and entertaining lectures and readings.

"It’ll be invigorating for everyone. It’s a great supplement to an English course but it also will appeal to people who have a general interest in literature and want to get a look inside what a writer’s life is like," he said.

The writers include nonfiction writer Diane Ackerman; fiction writers Robert Olen Butler and Bonnie Jo Campbell; and poets Sarah Lindsay and Dean Young.

Wanczyk, who is also director of Special Programs in Creative Writing at Ohio University, encourages OU students to stop by and meet the authors.  

"It's a great way for students to get exposed to these writers and get to talk to them personally," he said. "They can have individual meetings or small group meetings with them and get advice, opinions and make connections."

The event is free to the public and starts Wednesday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m. with a reading from Dean Young in the Walter Hall Rotunda. Visit for more information.


Wednesday, April 10, Walter Hall Rotunda

7:30 p.m. Dean Young reading
8:30 p.m. Bonnie Jo Campbell reading

Thursday, April 11, Walter Hall Rotunda

11 a.m. Robert Olen Butler lecture
12 p.m. Bonnie Jo Campbell lecture

7:30 p.m. Diane Ackerman lecture
8:30 p.m. Sarah Lindsay reading

Friday, April 12, Walter Hall Rotunda

11 a.m. Sarah Lindsay lecture
12 p.m. Dean Young lecture

Closing night: Friday, April 12, Baker Center Theater

7:30 p.m. Robert Olen Butler reading
8:30 p.m. Diane Ackerman reading