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SUNY Plattsburgh Hosts Inaugural North Country Literature Festival

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (April 2, 2009) - SUNY Plattsburgh will celebrate literature, writing and literary scholarship as it hosts the inaugural North Country Literature Festival on Friday, May 1 from 3 to 8 p.m.

The only event of its kind in the region, this festival is intended to benefit the SUNY Plattsburgh student population, as well as the local community. The NCLF will consist of panel discussions, guest authors, keynote readings and student writing contests.

According to NCFL organizer and Asssistant Professor Matt Bondurant, the festival will become an annual happening at the college, and this year's events will be just a start.

"In this, our first year of the festival, we are beginning with a modest slate of events, with the highlight being our keynote reading by authors Heather O'Neill and Jane Springer - both young writers with award-winning, internationally prominent first books," said Bondurant.

For more information, contact Bondurant at [email protected] or 571-332-4606.

The event is sponsored by the SUNY Plattsburgh Department of English, the Center for the Study of Canada and College Auxiliary Services.

Schedule of Events for NCLF, May 1:


3-4 p.m.Panel Discussion, "Graduate School for Literature, ELA and Creative Writing: Where Do I Begin?" SUNY Plattsburgh faculty and recent graduate school grads discuss their experiences and field questions from the audience on all aspects of graduate school, including reference letters, applications, funding, coursework, student teaching and the job market. Commons Room, Champlain Valley Hall. Free and open to the public.

4:30-6 p.m.Festival Keynote Reading: Novelist Heather O'Neill, author of "Lullabies for Little Criminals" and poet Jane Springer, author of "Dear Blackbird," read from their works. Krinovitz Recital Hall, Hawkins Hall. Free and open to the public.

The NCLF Student Writing Fiction and Poetry Award will also be announced at the reading. Winners will be selected by our keynote readers from a pool of student applicants. The top three will receive a copy of the reader's books. The winner will receive an additional prize.

6-8 p.m. NCLF Reception at the President's House. A reception for SUNY Plattsburgh faculty, staff and invited guests will follow the reading.

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