So we’ve been gone for a little while, but for those of you keeping track this is still the literary voice of Susquehanna University on the web. In the next fifteen weeks you’ll hear new voices—analytical, opinionated, affectionate, irritated—all students in the Department of English and Creative Writing and all with something to say about literature, writers, books and the book business. If you like what you hear, or even if you don’t, feel free to talk back. We want to know who’s out there listening, who else cares about reading and writing as much as we do.

As the host here I tend to stay out of the way as much as possible. I’m here to help, direct, and defuse—if you have a problem or question feel free to contact me.

Ok now, let’s talk……

September 19, 2008

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/11/AR2008091103308.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Dana Gioia Retires. He was quite a  chap, after all. Check out his work for the National Endowment for the Arts; in retrospect, it is quite impressive.

I’m glad he’ll get some time to write for himself. 

The stars now rearrange themselves above you

but to no effect. Tonight,
only for tonight, their powers lapse,
and you must look toward earth. There will be
no comets now, no pointing star
to lead where you know you must go.

Look for smaller signs instead, the fine
disturbances of ordered things when suddenly
the rhythms of your expectation break
and in a moment’s pause another world
reveals itself behind the ordinary.

And one small detail out of place will be
enough to let you know: a missing ring,
a breath, a footfall or a sudden breeze,
a crack of light beneath a darkened door.

- Dana Gioia, from “Daily Horoscope”

– KW

Red Inc. Going Live in 5 Days

September 10, 2008

 

It’s true.  Any and all Susquehanna students willing to create a WordPress account and agree to the Blog Style Standards (forthcoming from Madeline and I) will be able and are strongly encouraged to submit to Red Inc. All those thoughts you’ve been holding back on the novel you’re reading for class? They’ve finally found a home. Your unedited rant on the ridiculous pretentiousness of Cleanth Brooks? Here’s a place to put it. And you can feel free to talk about the Twilight series, if you really have to. Even if you liked it.

Also check out the linked blogs on the right hand side of this post, where a growing list of SU Alum’s (and former Red Inc. contributors) can be found.

Get excited.

Kathryn