Trending
ELKINS -- Davis & Elkins College will present the annual Dr. Bill King Writers' Week Oct. 23-26 celebrating the legacy of beloved professor Dr. King, who passed away earlier this year.
Dr. King created Writers' Week to bring noteworthy authors from a variety of genres to the Davis & Elkins campus to share their work with students, faculty, staff, and the greater Elkins community.
This year, the long-running and beloved celebration of language and literature was renamed to honor Dr. King.
The 2023 Writers' Week will feature readings from Dr. King's first book of poems, "Bloodroot," by family and friends, a discussion of the importance of his poetry by noted authors Ann Pancake, Marc Harshman, Gordon Johnston and Doug Van Gundy, creative writing workshops in both poetry and nonfiction, and an open mic reading of student work.
"Students, faculty, staff, and community members will have the chance to hear poetry from Bill's collection, 'Bloodroot,' as well as listen to other writers discuss his work and participate in workshops inspired by Bill's poems," said Associate Professor of English Dr. Katherine Osborne.
"Overall, this week is designed to carry on Bill's legacy of inspiring those around him to see the world in new ways," Osborne said.
Dr. King had taught creative writing and literature at Davis & Elkins College since 1996.
He was the chair of the Humanities Division and served as Chair of the English, Communication, and Foreign Language Department for many years. He was honored with many awards, including the Lois Latham Teaching Award.
"At his core, Bill was an artist. His medium of choice was not a canvas, nor an instrument, nor theatrics on the stage. His medium of choice was paper and a pen, or computer and a keyboard," said D&E President Chris A. Wood.
"He used words to move us, challenge us, inspire us, and transport us to somewhere beyond here and now."
The schedule of Dr. Bill King Writers' Week events this year includes:
Opening remarks and readings - Monday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Senate Commons;
Poetry workshop with Marc Harshman, Gordon Johnston and Doug Van Gundy - Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Community Room;
Panel discussion of "Bloodroot" with Ann Pancake, Marc Harshman, Gordon Johnston and Doug Van Gundy - Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. in Senate Commons;
Creative nonfiction workshop with Ann Pancake - Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. in the Senate Commons;
"Aurora" (student magazine) open mic - Thursday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. in the Icehouse.
All events are free and open to the public.
Copies of Bloodroot will be for sale at the Monday and Tuesday evening events and all proceeds will go toward funding the Dr. Bill King Writers' Week Endowed Fund.
The fund needs an additional $8,000 to reach the full $25,000 goal, so this important series may continue in perpetuity. All gifts, no matter the amount, will help.
If you are interested in donating to the Dr. Bill King's Writers' Week Fund, you can make a one-time or monthly recurring gift online at www.dewv.edu/giveonline or mail a check payable to Davis & Elkins College Dr. King Writers' Week to Davis & Elkins College, Advancement Office, 100 Campus Drive, Elkins, WV 26241.