Two critically acclaimed writers will share their experiences and works as Appalachian writers tomorrow night.
Laura Treacy Bentley and Marie Manilla will be featured during a literary evening at ARTS/West, 132 W. State St., at 7 p.m.
Both authors, who have served as Writer-in-Residence at Marshall University, have received accolades for their work. Bentley was honored with the Fellowship Award for Literature from the West Virginia Commission for the Arts and Manilla is a Pushcart-Prize nominee. Manilla’s fiction has also appeared in the Chicago Tribune as a Nelson Algren finalist.
Bentley will share works from her poetry collection, Lake Effect, while Manilla will read a short story from her collection, Still Life with Plums. Following the reading will be a Q-and-A session.
Manilla said that both works deal with characters who are grappling with what it means to be Appalachian when they are not coal miners. She added that both Bentley and herself are Appalachian, but have struggled with the meaning.
“Appalachian writers are pigeon-holed and we break the mold,” Manilla said. “We don’t write the typical Appalachian story or the coal mining experience. The stories are Appalachian in their way and transcend labels and cultures.”
Bentley said that she looks forward to sharing her work with Ohio University students as well as reading with Manilla, who is her friend.
Manilla said she is looking forward to showing students that authors are not “snooty” and are in fact extremely accessible.
“We want the audience — especially if they've never been before — to see that literature is fun,” Manilla said. “The story I've chosen has a lot of humor and pathos, but allows the audience to break down the stereotype that literary readings are dry.”
Manilla also added that she and Bentley hope that students come out to discuss their own work. As former teachers, Manilla and Bentley said they love talking to students about writing.
Michelle Koski, a sophomore studying creative writing, said she appreciates that the writers are reaching out to English students.
"As a writing major, it’s scary to go into the real world because you don’t know if you’re good enough to make it, so the encouragement is helpful and great,” Koski said.
ef195109@ohiou.edu
IF YOU GO
WHAT: A Literary Evening with Marie Manilla and Laura Treacy Bentley
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: ARTS/West, 132 W. State St.
ADMISSION: Free
