March 17, 2009 

MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle Sherrard
(202) 994-1423; mcs1@gwu.edu

PULTIZER PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR MICHAEL CHABON TO GIVE OPEN READING
MARCH 23, 2009

EVENT: 

Michael Chabon, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, will give an open reading to the GW community as part of the Department of English's "Literature Live" class. Chabon will be introduced by Pulitzer Prize-winning author and GW Wang Visiting Professor in Contemporary English Literature Edward P. Jones and interviewed by Faye Moskowitz, GW professor. A book signing will follow.
 
WHEN:  

Monday, March 23, 2009; 7 p.m.
 
WHERE: 

The George Washington University
Jack Morton Auditorium
805 21st St., NW, Washington, D.C.
Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro (Orange and Blue lines)
 
RSVP:  

This event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Media should RSVP to Michelle Sherrard at (202) 994-1423 or mcs1@gwu.edu.
 
BACKGROUND:   
 
"Literature Live" is a unique class within GW's Department of English that allows students to study and interact with prominent Jewish American authors. Renowned writer and GW professor Faye Moskowitz teaches the course.  "Literature Live" was made possible through a significant gift from David Bruce Smith, B.A. '79, a member of the University's Board of Trustees.

Award-winning authors and novels to be studied throughout "Literature Live" include Away by Amy Bloom; The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon; Moskowitz's A Leak in the Heart; The Family Diamond by Edward Schwarszchild; The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer; Maus by Art Spiegelman; The Far Euphrates by Aryeh lev Stollman; and Petropolis by Anya Ulinich. While on campus, several authors will give readings open to the entire GW community. Ulinich read on March 5, and Spiegelman will read on April 2.

The Department of English is an active research community of scholars and creative writers who prize excellence in teaching, publication, and service. The department has about 300 undergraduate majors and an award-winning faculty of more than 30 professors. It is nationally recognized for its strengths in both literature and creative writing. Long known for its expertise in African American literature, the department also is renowned for its research and publication in early modern and medieval studies, creative writing, 19th-century literature, and ethnic literature, including Asian American and Jewish texts.

For more information about GW's English Department, visit www.gwu.edu/~english.
For more information about GW's Columbian College of Arts and Sciences,
visit www.gwu.edu/~ccas.
For more news about The George Washington University, visit www.gwnewscenter.org.

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