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Catherine Carter

Nick Taylor

Catherine Carter is the coordinator of the English education program at Western, and Nick Taylor is a Western North Carolina native and WCU graduate.

Carter teaches English education, American literature and creative writing. Her first book, “The Memory of Gills,” was published in 2006 by Louisiana State University Press and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. Carter will read her poetry at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 26.

Taylor is author of 10 nonfiction books, including the New York Times best-seller “John Glenn: A Memoir,” “Laser: The Inventor,” “The Nobel Laureate,” “The Thirty-Year Patent War,” “In Hitler’s Shadow” and “Sins of the Father.” Taylor will participate in the event at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27.

Taylor recently finished a book on the Works Progress Administration, which inspired WCU festival organizers to host writing workshops for the community related to recording local and personal histories. “Taylor talks about Jackson County residents Early Dietz and Johnny Mills, and his work will appeal to local people, including seniors,” said Mary Adams, festival director and associate professor of English.

All readings and panel discussions are free and open to the public and will be held in Western’s A.K. Hinds University Center Theater.

For more information, contact the WCU English department at (828) 227-7264, e-mail Mary Adams at madams@email.wcu.edu or visit http://www.litfestival.org. Festival sponsors are the English department; Office of the Chancellor; Office of the Provost; Lectures, Concerts and Exhibitions Series; and the North Carolina Arts Council. The mission of the North Carolina Arts Council is to make North Carolina a better state through the arts. A division of the Department of Cultural Resources, the Arts Council serves as a catalyst for the development of arts organizations and facilities throughout North Carolina with grant funding and technical assistance.