Writers Institute fall 09: the 25th Anniversary Season, with a schedule update

In what Writers Institute Director Donald Faulkner has called "the most difficult series I've organized and one that I'm most proud to present", the New York State Writers Institute offers its 25th anniversary season. As ever, most events are free and open to the public.

In an important update from the recently published series brochure, the Oct 26 co-sponsored event with the Archives Partnership Trust will feature Henry Louis Gates, Jr. James McPherson, previously announced, will not be able to attend.

The website will provide details, but consider this partial list of writers for the fall series:

Douglas Blackmon, current nonfiction Pulitzer awardee in nonfiction for his "Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II" on Sept 24.

Joseph O'Neill, novelist and author of the PEN/Faulkner Award-winning "Netherland" on Sept 29.

Rita Moreno, winner of an Oscar, a Tony, a Grammy, and an Emmy. She will speak on her life in theatre on Oct 7.

Paul Krugman, Nobel Laureate in Economics, and weekly columnist for the New York Times, on Oct 9.

A celebration of Writers Institute friend Frank McCourt in a dramatic presentation of "Teacher Man" on Oct 13.

Novelists Lorrie Moore and Richard Russo in their first joint reading on Oct 15.

Novelists Russel Banks and Don DeLillo talking about their mentor Nelson Algren on Nov 6.

And the actual celebration of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Writers Institute on Nov 16 with historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and former governor Mario Cuomo who signed the legislation creating the Writers Institute 25 years ago.

Many other events and festivities will be listed on our website, and additions will follow.

Enjoy!