Writing students are not the only ones who can appreciate literary
readings, English professor Eric Torgersen said.

“For the Creative Writing students it is a chance to experience
their teachers as fellow writers,” Torgersen said. “But for anyone it’s
an experience comparable to hearing live music – the voice can bring
the material across in a very compelling way.”

Torgersen and English assistant professor Matt Roberson will a read
poetry and fiction at 8 p.m. today in the Park Library Barber Room. The
event is being presented by the Writers Series of the College of
Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Department of
English.

Roberson will read excerpts from a novel he is working on. Torgersen
will read poetry he has written.

“This is part of the creative writing faculty reading series, which
allows us to share our work with students and colleagues,” Roberson
said. “Each year we put on readings by all our creative writing
faculty.”

Torgersen said reading literature is beneficial to writers.

“We’ve all done readings here and elsewhere,” Torgersen said. “It’s
an important part of what writers do and a very good way to experience
literature.”

Both Torgersen and Robersen have a long history of literary
achievement.

Torgersen has published five books of poetry. His novel “Ethiopia”
was published in 1977.

Roberson’s novel “1998.6” was published in 2002. His stories,
articles, and reviews have appeared in over a dozen publications
including Journal of Experimental Fiction and American Book Review.

“People can expect a lively and entertaining experience, and
possibly a new awareness of what poems and stories are and why people
care about them so much,” Torgersen said.

Admission to the reading of poetry and fiction is free. A reception
will follow the reading.

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