GWU English Department Hosts Author, Kathryn Schwille, in Webinar on Feb. 25

Part of the Darlene J. Gravett Visiting Writer Series, Event is Open to Public

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb University Department of English Language and Literature is hosting author Kathryn Schwille in a Zoom webinar on Feb. 25 from 4 to 5 p.m. This program is part of the Darlene J. Gravett Visiting Writer Series and is open to the public.

Schwille, who lives in Charlotte, N.C., is the author of “What Luck, This Life,” selected by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as one of the best southern books of 2018. Her short stories have appeared in “New Letters,” “Memorious,” “Crazyhorse,” “Literary Hub” and other journals, and have twice been cited for Special Mention in the Pushcart Prize. In 2013, she received an Individual Artist Fellowship from the North Carolina Arts Council.

Schwille will read an excerpt from her book and discuss why she chose to write it and describe her writing process. Those who join the Zoom webinar will be able to ask questions via the Q&A function. The initial questions will come from students in English 102 classes, who are reading the book right now.

A committee from the GWU English department considered ten books over the course of the 2019-20 school year before selecting Schwille’s novel. “We were impressed by the writing, the interesting subject matter, and the depth she brought to her characters,” noted Matthew Duffus, assistant professor of English and director of the Writing Center. “We believe that Schwille, as an active member of the Charlotte literary community, is a great representative of the excellent writing coming from our region.”

A former editor at “The Charlotte Observer,” Schwille is a graduate of the Master of Fine Arts program at Warren Wilson College and has received fellowships from the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts and Hambridge Center for the Arts and Sciences. Currently, she is an editor and mentor to writers and teaches at the Charlotte Center for Literary Arts.

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 working days prior to the event. Please call (704) 406-4270 or email [email protected] with your request.

The Darlene J. Gravett Visiting Writer Series is named for Gravett, who lives in Boiling Springs. She joined Gardner-Webb in 1989 as a professor of English and served as chair of the Department of English Language and Literature and dean of the Graduate School. In 2004, she was named associate provost for schools and became the University’s first female member of the senior staff. After her retirement in 2007, she was honored with the title of associate provost emerita. The endowed fund for the writer series was initiated by a gift from Gravett and expresses her commitment to the Department of English Language and Literature.

Located in the North Carolina foothills, Gardner-Webb University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. Gardner-Webb emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.