University of Southern Maine

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Stonecoast Writers' Conference Offers Free Readings

July 1, 2005

Once again, bibliophiles and poetry lovers can enjoy hearing authors of national distinction read from their work at the University of Southern Maine's Stonecoast Writers' Conference. Now in its 26th year, Stonecoast is a residence conference running from Friday, July 22, through Sunday, July 31, in USM's Stone House in Freeport. Housing is on Bowdoin's campus in Brunswick, where the free public evening readings also take place. (See schedule at the end of this release.)

Perhaps Stonecoast's most renowned alumna is Carolyn Chute, who attended the conference prior to the publication of "The Beans of Egypt Maine."

Among the authors who will be reading this year are poets Annie Finch and Betsy Sholl, author of the Parents' Choice Gold Award novel "Unbroken," Jessie Hass, and two-time winner of the American Fiction Prize, Clint McCown.

Several openings are still available in this nationally recognized teaching conference with a mission to foster talent and to improve student writing. Admission to the Conference is based on submission of a short manuscript in the desired area of study.

For more information on applying to Stonecoast, or for more information about the readings, contact Bryn Keating at 780-4904.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE
2005 Stonecoast Writer's Conference Public Readings

All readings take place in the Moulton Union on the Bowdoin College campus, Brunswick, Maine.

FRIDAY, JULY 22
8 p.m. - Dianne Benedict (short story faculty) and Betsy Sholl (poetry faculty)

SATURDAY, JULY 23
7:30 p.m. - Maria Testa (young adult and childrenÕs literature faculty) and Laima Sruoginis (conference director)

SUNDAY, JULY 24
7:30 p.m. - Clint McCown (novel faculty) and David Jauss (short story faculty)

TUESDAY, JULY 26
7:30 p.m. - Elizabeth Kendall (nonfiction faculty) and Mike Kimball (short story faculty)

THURSDAY, JULY 28
7:30 p.m.ÑKurt Brown (poetry faculty) and Richard Hoffman (nonfiction faculty)

FRIDAY, JULY 29
7:30 p.m. - Jessie Haas (young adult and childrenÕs literature faculty) and Abby Frucht (novel faculty)

SATURDAY, JULY 30
7:30 p.m. - Major Jackson (poetry guest) and Annie Finch (MFA guest)

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