NW Missouri Times

Northwest Missouri State University’s 2023-24 Visiting Writers Series will culminate in April with two nights of poetry readings featuring three distinguished poets. Poet and essayist Taylor Byas will kick off the series by presenting her original work on Tuesday, April 9, followed by poets Hadara Bar-Nadav and Kevin Prufer on Tuesday, April 16. The events, taking place in the J.W. Jones Student Union Living Room, are free and open to the public, including a question-answer session.

Describing the significance of such literary gatherings, Daniel Biegelson, senior instructor of English and director of the Visiting Writers Series, emphasized, “In a world where true community and solidarity are in short supply, where our individual and collective attention is fractured, attending a reading can be a moment of presence.”

Taylor Byas, an accomplished poet and essayist, will share excerpts from her debut poetry collection, “I Done Clicked My Heels Three Times,” which portrays a black woman's journey from the South Side of Chicago into adulthood. Byas, the recipient of the Maya Angelou Book Award and an array of other accolades, holds various editorial positions and is actively involved in poetry instruction and mentorship programs.

Hadara Bar-Nadav, a professor of English at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, will read from her latest book, “The Animal is Chemical,” a collection of poems delving into human fallibility and moral dilemmas associated with Western medication. Bar-Nadav, a distinguished poet with multiple prestigious awards to her name, draws inspiration from her professional background as a medical editor and her family’s history of Holocaust survival.

Kevin Prufer, a renowned professor of English at the University of Houston, will present excerpts from his debut novel, “Sleepaway,” which serves as an allegory for post-pandemic America, highlighting societal failures in addressing collective challenges. Apart from his writing and teaching endeavors, Prufer is actively involved in promoting the works of lesser-known authors through the Unsung Masters Series, garnering recognition and awards for his literary contributions.

The Visiting Writers Series at Northwest Missouri State University aims to enhance the institution's educational mission by fostering community values, civil discourse, and self-expression. The series is made possible through the support of Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corporation, Green Tower Press, and other sponsors.

For further information about the Visiting Writers Series, interested individuals can reach out to Daniel Biegelson at 660.562.1266.