More Praise for Century of Locusts

Century of Locusts by Malika Mokeddem “Many of Mokeddem’s sentences have the breath of poetry upon them. . . . Indeed, a question worth asking of literature in translation is whether it does not give us an unfamiliar English with powerful new shapes and cadences—the expressive possibilities of another language reinvigorate our own. One believes this to be true of the work of Laura Rice and Karim Hamdy here, as also of Erdag Goknar’s striking translation five years ago of Orhan Pamuk’s My Name Is Red. . . . Mokeddem’s locusts become a most complex symbol, bleakly suggestive not just … Continue reading More Praise for Century of Locusts

Praise for Chuck Hagel: Moving Forward

Chuck Hagel: Moving Forward by Charlyne Berens “How could the onetime toast of the GOP have fallen so far, and what are the chances that Hagel will run for president in 2008 in the face of so many obstacles? In her new book, Chuck Hagel: Moving Forward, University of Nebraska at Lincoln journalism professor Charlyne Berens attempts to answer those questions with a sympathetic portrait of a public figure who is immensely appealing and astute, yet the architect of his own political frustrations.” —The Washington Post “Readers keeping an eye on the next presidential election will appreciate this profile of … Continue reading Praise for Chuck Hagel: Moving Forward

More Praise for I, Nadia, Wife of a Terrorist

I, Nadia, Wife of a Terrorist by Baya Gacemi “[A] fascinating autobiography. . . Nadia’s is a rare, firsthand account by a female Islamist extremist, and it reveals the personal, domestic dramas underlying the political turmoil of our times.”—The Washington Post Book World Read More Reviews on I, Nadia, Wife of a Terrorist Continue reading More Praise for I, Nadia, Wife of a Terrorist

Circle of Neihardt Juried Contest

ayne State College, The Neihardt Trust and the Neihardt Foundation announce the first annual Circle of Neihardt Juried Contest. The Circle of Neihardt honors the memory of John G. Neihardt (1881-1973) —poet, writer, journalist, professor. During his lifetime, Neihardt received many honors, among them being named Poet Laureate of Nebraska and Prairie Poet of America. The Circle of Neihardt has both a College Level and a High School Level contest.  The themes and the genre for the contests—always derived from some aspect of Neihardt’s work—will change yearly.  This year’s College Level genre is Essay or Creative Nonfiction and the High … Continue reading Circle of Neihardt Juried Contest

A brief, yet personal, introduction

, up until this moment, may have been the last American blogging virgin.  That’s right, never read one and had never posted.  "Why start now?" you ask.  It’s a great question.  Simply put, it scared me.  To put my thoughts down in writing is one thing. But to put them out there in the great wide everywhere for everyone to read (judge) scared me.  It can only be compared to stage fright. You’ve practiced, prepared, and waited for your big chance to prove to the world that you’ve got the chops–the curtain goes up–and you choke, freeze, forget what and … Continue reading A brief, yet personal, introduction

UNP Blog Announces Inaugural Podcast

n a UNP web exclusive, UNP author Eli Hastings reads his essay "Sky" from Falling Room.  Future podcasts will feature author readings, interviews, and discussions; reviews; audio from UNP salons; and, as possible, audio from other events of interest to the Press’s readers. When we get really good at podcasting, maybe we’ll even launch a radio show format with any number of intellectually stimulating and compelling segments. For now, you can expect a new podcast on the 4th Wednesday of every month. Download Eli_Hastings_Sky.mp3 (17mb, MP3 audio) Continue reading UNP Blog Announces Inaugural Podcast

“Rainmakers” inspires Weather Channel segment

ainmakers: A Photographic Story of Center Pivot Irrigation inspires a visit to Nebraska by production and film crews. Film crews from The Weather Channel and HBO were in Nebraska in early August for productions dealing with current drought issues and possible links to global warming. Ken Dewey of the University of Nebraska’s National Drought Mitigation Center shared a copy of Rainmakers: A Photographic Story of Center Pivots with the producers from the Weather Channel. Producers were so inspired by the book, that they added a trip to Eugene and Ted Glock’s farm in Rising City, Nebraska, to film a special … Continue reading “Rainmakers” inspires Weather Channel segment

Reading Events for Famous

‘ll be reading in and around the Seattle area in the next months to celebrate the release of my first book of poems, Famous.  I hope you can join me.  The inaugural reading at Open Books (an exceptional all-poetry book store) on September 17 has the added allure of a party afterward.  The reading on November 28 at University Book Store in Seattle will include John Keeble, winner of the 2005 Prairie Schooner Book Prize in Fiction.  He’ll be reading from Nocturnal America.   Sunday, September 17, 3:00 pmInaugural Reading from FamousCelebration to follow Open Books: A Poem Emporium 2414 … Continue reading Reading Events for Famous