AMES, Iowa -- Two award-winning authors will read from their novels as part of the Pearl Hogrefe Visiting Writer Series at Iowa State University.
David Anthony Durham and Benjamin Percy will present "(Un)Natural Histories: From Fantasy to Historical Fiction" at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 23, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. The authors also will discuss the writing process and answer questions during an afternoon session. "From Fantasy to Historical Fiction: Two Novelists on the Craft of Writing" will be at 2 p.m. in the Sun Room. Both events are free and open to the public.
Durham
Durham is the author of historical fiction and fantasy novels, including the epic fantasy series "Acacia Trilogy." He also wrote "Pride of Carthage" and "Gabriel's Story," which won the First Novel Award and the Alex Award from the American Library Association. His books have twice been New York Times Notable Books. Most recently, Durham won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer of Science Fiction. His newest novel, "The Risen," is about the Spartacus slave rebellion in ancient Rome. Durham teaches popular fiction at the Stonecoast Low-Residency MFA Program at the University of Southern Maine.
Percy
Percy is a former Iowa State faculty member and the author of three novels — "The Wilding," "Red Moon" and "The Dead Lands," a post-apocalyptic reimagining of the Lewis and Clark saga. His new novel "The Dark Net" releases this summer and tells a 21st century horror story in which black hat hacker culture meets the supernatural. Percy has written two books of stories, a book of essays and sold scripts to FOX and Starz. He also writes the Green Arrow and Teen Titans series for DC Comics and the James Bond series for Dynamite Entertainment. His honors include an NEA fellowship, the Whiting Writers' Award, the Plimpton Prize, two Pushcart prizes and inclusion in "Best American Short Stories" and "Best American Comics."
Their presentation is co-sponsored by Humanities Iowa, MFA program in creative writing and environment, Pearl Hogrefe Fund and the Committee on Lectures, which is funded by Student Government.
More information on ISU lectures is available online, or by calling 515-294-9935.