The North Carolina Writers’ Network 2018 Squire Summer Writing Workshops happen July 19-22 on the campus of NC State University in Raleigh.
Three instructors will lead three workshops over the course of the long weekend: Paul Cuadros (Creative Nonfiction); Rob Greene (Poetry); and Elaine Neil Orr (Fiction).
We caught up with our instructors recently to ask what they’ve been reading. After all, the best writers are the best readers! Turns out, they’re reading some pretty great stuff, which collectively would make for a solid summer reading list.
Paul Cuadros
“I am reading J.D. Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy. Wonderful memoir and journalism book that tapped into the political feelings of people in Middle America.”
Rob Greene
“As always, I’m reading literary magazines and submissions at every opportunity.
“I am also reading Kwame Dawes’ personal narrative A Far Cry from Plymouth Rock.
“I am planning to read more of my University of Birmingham research supervisor Luke Kennard’s work, and I am rereading Denis Johnson’s Jesus’ Son as well as Lucille Clifton’s Good Woman and Dorianne Laux and Kim Addonizio’s The Poet’s Companion again and again in order to prepare for the workshop and also selfishly—to make some new poems of my own.”
Elaine Neil Orr
“I just finished reading Charlie Lovett’s luscious and smart mystery/drama, The Lost Book of the Grail. We’re going to be appearing together at Bookmarks in Winston-Salem in July to talk about our books with book clubs. I also just finished Lost in the Beehive by Michele Young-Stone. Her novel about a lesbian woman’s search for her true destiny is memorable and rich. I met Michele at Greensboro Bound where we were on a fiction panel together.
“I’m looking forward to reading Gigi Amateau’s novel, Claiming Georgia Tate. Gigi generously read my book and appeared with me at The Fountain Bookstore in Richmond last month. I know her novel is going to be smart and powerful. It’s about a young girl who was being raised by a grandmother but when the grandmother dies, she is sent to live with her father. In addition, I’m looking forward to reading What Luck, This Life, a CNF book by Kathryn Schwille coming out with Hub City in September. Betsy Teter gave it to me as a gift, so I get a sneak peek. It’s about what happens in a small Texas town in the aftermath of a space shuttle break-up.
“And finally, Michael Ondaatje, Warlight. It may be Christmas before I get to it, but I will. I’m a huge Ondaatje fan.”
Registration for the NCWN 2018 Squire Summer Writing Workshops is open through July 5. Register at www.ncwriters.org.