Annual Writer’s Harvest benefit reading to aid hunger in Southeastern Ohio.
Literary writing has many functions, from scholarly fodder to leisurely entertainment. But Tuesday, Ohio University’s creative writing program will use writing as a means to combat poverty and hunger.
Writer’s Harvest is an annual event that allows local writers to exhibit their work at a charity reading, the proceeds of which will go to the Southeastern Ohio Food Bank’s Second Harvest, a food program that serves Athens and surrounding counties, distributing food to families in need.
“I’ve attended the Harvest in previous years and it’s actually pretty fun to hear local writer’s read their stuff,” said senior education student Elijah Bowman. “Plus, I feel $5 is pretty reasonable for admission, especially considering the cause it’s benefitting.”
The event will take place in Walter Hall Rotunda at 7:30 p.m., followed by a reception in the lobby afterward. This year’s participating writers are Mark Halliday and Donald Ray Pollock. Laura Larson, an associate professor of photography and integrated media at OU, had to cancel her appearance at the event.
Halliday is an OU English professor who has published numerous books of poetry, including his most recent Thresherphobe, released in 2013.
Pollock is a critically acclaimed fiction writer who spent decades as a laborer at the Mead Paper Mill in Chillicothe. His short story collection Knockemstiff and novel The Devil All The Time have garnered national acclaim among literary critics. He was the recipient of the 2009 PEN/Bingham fellowship and his work has appeared in many notable publications including The New York Times.
“I always strongly encourage my students to go every year,” said OU English professor Joe McLaughlin. “Even if you’re a person that isn’t necessarily an English nut, it’s still really entertaining. Especially Mark Halliday, his readings are almost like stand-up comedy, they’re great.”
Writer’s Harvest is part of a nationwide reading series of the same name that aims to fight hunger through creative writing-based benefits. OU raised $1,000 at last year’s Harvest and encourages patrons to donate beyond the $5 admission price. This year’s goal is $1,500.
"Writer’s Harvest creates a happy conjunction of creative writing with a good practical cause, to provide food for hungry people,” Halliday said. “The event is always fun. It's the main chance each year for writers in the Athens community to show a local audience what we've been working on."
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