Your Adventure Begins Here

Featuring: Jonathan Blunk, author of the 2017 “James Wright, A Life in Poetry.” Annie Wright: Coauthor of “A Wild Perfection, Selected Letters of James Wright.” Stanley Plumly, Poet Laureate of Maryland, author of “In the Outer Dark” and “Old Heart.” Maggie Anderson, Founder of Kent State’s Wick Poetry Center and author of “Dear All.” Founded in 1980, the James Wright Poetry Festival has focused on exploring the work of the James Wright and his contemporaries. The festival has featured important contemporary writers such as Billy Collins, Mary Oliver, Robert Hass, Franz Wright, Sharon Olds.

This year’s event will feature a writers’ workshop, discussions with the participating authors, and an open reading. An essential element of the festival is the involvement of the audience, many of whom come to Martins Ferry to connect the worlds of James Wright’s and his lived experience. The writers workshop, discussions, and readings are designed to provide participants with an opportunity to develop their own voice and to interact with peers and mentors.

The festival itself is free; however, seating is limited. Please register for the festival by calling the Belmont County District Library at (740) 633-0314.

This event is presented by Ohio University Eastern with generous support from the Eastern Ohio Arts Council.