FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Cindy Deppe, media relations, 641-269-4834

February 20, 2008

LOCAL WRITERS TO READ THEIR WORKS AT GRINNELL COLLEGE

GRINNELL, IA.--The Writers@Grinnell program will feature local writers Steve Andrews and Harley McIlrath on Thurs., Mar. 6, at 8 p.m. in Room 101 of the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center on the Grinnell College campus.

Andrews, who is associate professor of English at Grinnell and teaches American literature, will read from "Abducted by Puritans," essays and poems about adoption, race, and American history. Andrews grew up in the Pacific Northwest, earned a Ph.D. from the University of Washington, and says that his "formative years in North Dakota form the backdrop for his writing about adoption and related issues."

McIlrath, who is a Grinnell native and assistant manager of the Pioneer Bookshop and campus bookstore, will read "Possum Trot," a story that appeared in the "Wapsipinicon Almanac." McIlrath’s work has appeared in the "Cream City Review" and the "North American Review" where he served as editorial assistant. He holds a master’s degree in English from the University of Northern Iowa.

Upcoming Writers@Grinnell programs will feature distinguished author Ana Castillo on Apr. 10 and disability writers Steve Kuusisto and Kenny Fries on Apr. 17. For more information about the Writers@Grinnell program, go to http://www.grinnell.edu/academic/english/creative/conference/. The Rosenfield Center is located at 1115 8th Ave. on the Grinnell campus.

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