The Tryon branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will host “Porcelain, Poetry and Prose” a fundraising tea for the Eileen White Scholarship Fund, on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. in the Tryon Depot.
The tea’s featured authors and editors are Cathy Smith Bowers, John Lane, Jeri Fitzgerald Board and Betsy Teter, who will discuss their latest literary projects.
Tryon resident Smith Bowers will discuss “The Abiding Image: Writing Into the Mystery.” Smith Bowers was born and raised, one of six children, in the small mill town of Lancaster, S.C. Her poems have appeared widely in a variety of publications.
Smith Bowers was named N.C.’s poet laureate in February 2010, traveling the state as the literary ambassador. Her works include “Traveling in Time of Danger,” “A Book of Minutes,” “The Candle I Hold Up To See You” and “Like Shining from Shook Foil.”
Smith Bowers currently teaches in the Queens low-residency MFA program and at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C.
Poet, essayist and author Lane has been teaching students in English and creative writing since 1988. He’s now in the midst of a new challenge, the development of the environmental studies major at Wofford College.
Having served as interim director of the program, Lane is now director of Wofford’s Goodall Center for environmental studies, located at the Glendale Shoals of Lawson’s Fork Creek, in the historic Glendale community. Lane’s topic, “My Paddle to the Sea,” reflects his interest in nature and the environment.
Lane’s latest prose book is “My Paddle to the Sea.” Its publication is due out this November.
Board is a retired administrator with UNC, and a former professor of African-American studies and american women writers at Duke University and St. Andrews College. Her historical novel, “The Bed She Was Born In” was nominated for a Pulitzer, was a finalist for the Southeastern Independent Bookseller’s award for fiction and won the prestigious president’s award of the N.C. Society of Historians.
Board will present “The Scene’s the Thing.” She’ll discuss the necessary elements of a well-written scene, the importance of character-driven sequences in scenes and the thread that holds it all together.
In the 15 years since “Hub City Anthology” was released, founder and executive director Teter’s nonprofit Hub City Writer’s Project has published some 45 books. Her dream of cultivating readers and nurturing writers through its independent small press, community bookshop and diverse literary programming has produced more than 300 writers, renovated two historic downtown buildings and given away more than $15,000 in scholarships to emerging writers. In June 2010, the project opened an independent and nonprofit bookstore in downtown Spartanburg. Teter is a graduate of Spartanburg Day School and holds a BA in history from Wake Forest University.
This event is by reservation only. Seating is limited and early reservations are suggested.
AAUW is a nationwide network. Their mission is to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.
The Tryon Area Branch of AAUW Eileen White Scholarship Fund was established to provide financial support for women who are returning to the classroom. For ticket information, please call 859-6187.
– article submitted by Beth Laughridge