Two Writers’ Homecoming: Barbourville Natives Return Home to Read from New Works

Two writers with roots in Barbourville will return home Fri., April 9 for readings at Union College. Poet Sue Scalf and novelist Katie Pickard Fawcett will read from their works in the Weeks-Townsend Memorial Library. Sue Scalf performs at 2:00 p.m., and Katie Pickard Fawcett reads at 7:00 p.m. Both readings are free and open to the public.

The award-winning author of seven books and a two-time nominee for the Pulitzer Prize, Scalf has most recently been awarded first prize in the latest Alabama Chapbook Competition. Although her teaching and her late husband’s military career led her far afield, Scalf often returns to her Kentucky childhood for inspiration. In the past, she has taught both high school and university students and looks forward to meeting students of all levels at this year’s reading.

Fawcett is a graduate of both Knox Central High School and Union College. Her first fictional work, “To Come and Go Like Magic,” was published by Knopf/Random House at the end of February. The heartwarming young adult novel features Chili Sue Mahoney, a 12-year-old living in Southeastern Kentucky and dreaming big in the ’70s. Throughout the novel, Chili Sue is inspired by a teacher much like Barbourville’s own Irene Hughes, whom Fawcett names for special recognition among the other great teachers Knox Central provided.
 
Both readings are sponsored by the Union College Department of English and Communication and the Union College Honors Community. To learn more, call Union at 606-546-1230.

April 5, 2010

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