NW Missouri Times

Northwest Missouri State University is set to conclude its 2024-2025 Visiting Writers Series with an appearance by award-winning fiction writer Jamel Brinkley. The event is scheduled for Friday, April 18, at 5 p.m. in the J.W. Jones Student Union Boardroom and is open to the public free of charge.

Jamel Brinkley, acclaimed author of “Witness: Stories,” will present his work at the event. The 2023 collection, set in New York City, encompasses themes like grief, friendship, and advocacy. It has garnered recognition by receiving the Maya Angelou Book Award and being a finalist for several other prestigious awards, including the PEN/Faulkner Award and the Joyce Carol Oates Prize.

Brinkley is also known for his 2018 work, “A Lucky Man: Stories,” a collection focusing on the intricate connections among men and the impact of their mistakes on their relationships. This book was nominated for several awards, including the National Book Award and won honors such as the PEN Oakland Award.

Apart from his publications, Brinkley’s writings have appeared in a wide array of respected literary outlets including The Paris Review, The Yale Review, and Tin House. Professionally, he is affiliated with the University of Iowa's Writers' Workshop and has been a fellow at various prestigious institutions.

Raised in Brooklyn and the Bronx, Brinkley holds multiple degrees from Columbia University, encompassing English, comparative literature, and African American studies.

The Visiting Writers Series aims to enhance Northwest Missouri State University’s educational mission by fostering values of community, civil discourse, and self-expression. The series is sponsored by Kawasaki Motos Manufacturing Corporation, Green Tower Press, and the Department of Language, Literature and Writing.

For additional information about the event or the series, interested individuals are encouraged to contact Biegelson at 660.562.1266.