Graduate reading introduces latest crop of literary talents

By Catherine Ragsdale
The Collegian

Imagine a room full of your fellow students and esteemed professors. Imagine all their attention on you. Imagine reading some of your most personal writing out loud for everyone to hear and judge.

For 17 masters of fine arts students this will be a reality.

“It’s very nerve-racking because it’s very personal, our own poetry,” said Maggie Webley, an MFA poetry student.

Tonight at 7 p.m., the English department will be holding its annual New Student Reading and Awards ceremony. The genres are poetry, fiction and non-fiction.

“At first the ceremony was just an excuse to have new students introduce themselves,” said Connie Hales, an MFA poetry professor. “Later we used the occasion to award scholarships as well.”

Along with the readings, eight students will receive scholarships and two students will receive equity awards.

The ceremony is in its ninth year.

Mark Roberts had experience reading his work at a few coffee shops and breweries, but recalls his reading last year at the ceremony great.

“[The crowd] was really receptive. It was a smaller ceremony last year, so we were able to read more,” Roberts said.

It’s Courtney Miller’s turn this year to read, but she has been attending the ceremonies for the past three years.

“It’s really exciting to see who’s coming in [to the department],” Miller said.

Miller also has experience reading her work out loud at the Pub and around the Tower District, but she can’t help being nervous for Friday’s reading.

“I’m nervous. I figure it will set in more right before I walk up,” Miller said.

Miller hasn’t decided what she will read yet. She writes mostly personal poetry, so Miller knows it will have something to do with her personal experiences.

“The ceremony is fun. You get exposed to other work that’s different and very interesting. You get exposed to the writing community,” said Emily Tallman, MFA administrative assistant.

Hales said the ceremony is a great way for students to hear each other’s work.

“It’s a rare chance to hear prose writers read. Prose writers rarely hear poets. Poets rarely hear prose writers,” Hales said.

Hales also believes the Fresno State community benefits from attending the ceremony.

“This is a chance to see the American writers of the future in their beginning. Some will go on to be famous writes,” Hales said.

Alumnus Brian Turner has won four awards, which include The New York Times’ Editors Choice and the 2005 Beatrice Hawley Award, for his poetry book, “Here, Bullet.” The work is mostly about his experience in Iraq.

The New Student Reading and Awards ceremony is Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. in the Conley Arts building, 101. A reception will follow.

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