Hickory – The Visiting Writers Series, established in 1988, features readings and presentations by authors who have distinguished themselves in literature and often meet with students to discuss the stories behind their works. The series’ mission remains the promotion of literary experiences with contemporary writers meant to engage and educate young people at LR. All events, which take place on the LR campus in Hickory unless otherwise noted, are free, and the public is welcome to attend.
On Thursday, October 27, The Visiting Writer’s Series welcomes Mariko Tamaki at 7 p.m., in Belk Centrum.
Mariko Tamaki is the author of the young adult novel “Saving Montgomery Sole” and the co-creator of award-winning comics “This One Summer and Skim” (with Jillian Tamaki) and “Emiko Superstar” (Steve Rolston).
In 2015, “This One Summer” received Printz and Caldecott Honors, the Eisner for Best Graphic Album–New, Canada’s Governor General’s award and four-starred reviews. Her 2019 “Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me” is the recipient of five-starred reviews, including Kirkus and Horn Book and was named a Printz Honor Book and as the “Best Children’s or Young Adult Book” at the Harvey Awards as well as receiving the 2020 Walter Dean Myers Award.
Tamaki maintains a solid fascination with the complex process by which teenagers become, or try to become, grown-ups. She has also written for BOOM! Studios, Marvel and DC Comics, working with She-Hulk and Supergirl. Mariko Tamaki began her career as a playwright and performance artist in Toronto, Ontario, working with fat activists Pretty, Porky and Pissed Off and performing and writing plays for Buddies in Bad Times Theater, a world leader in developing queer voices for the stage.
Her first film, “Happy 16th Birthday, Kevin,” premiered at the Inside Out Festival in 2013. In addition to her literary work, Tamaki holds a Master’s in Women’s Studies and worked for two years on a doctorate in linguistic anthropology. Her academic research focused on accents used in drag cabaret performances. Her research inspired an ongoing obsession with the way people talk.
About the Visiting Writers Series
Established in fall 1998, the Lenoir-Rhyne University Visiting Writers Series invites authors to tell the stories behind their works in a relaxed environment before an audience filled with campus and community members. The Writers Series’ mission is to build a community of readers, because it believes a community that reads is a more creative, open and tolerant community. In addition, VWS believes the beauty and power of words helps people make sense of the world. Children’s writers, mystery writers, essayists, poets and novelists all celebrate the written and spoken word.
Visiting Writers Series Support
The Visiting Writer’s Series is made possible by support from the following sponsors and grant providers: United Arts Council of Catawba County through the North Carolina Arts Council, with funding from the State of North Carolina, National Endowment for the Arts and North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
For more information on the Visiting Writers Series, please visit: www.lr.edu/public-events/visiting-writers-series.
