Heynen to appear at SMSU Feb. 26

Southwest Minnesota State University  will host author Jim Heynen for a reading of some of his published work, and some of his new work on Feb. 26. Sponsored by the SMSU Creative Writing Program, Heynen will present from 7-8 p.m. in Charter Hall 201.

The reading will be followed by a brief question-and-answer period. This event is free and open to the public.  Heynen, who grew up on a farm in noorthwestern Iowa, has taught at numerous colleges and authored over a dozen books, including the “The Boys’ House”.

“The One-Room Schoolhouse”, and “The Fall of Alice K”. Heynen was a popular participant in early festivals in Marshall and taught at least one seminar at Southwest State.

SMSU Professor of English, David Pichaske, included eight Heynen stories in his anthology “Late Harvest: Recent Rural American Writing” (Schirmer Books, 1981), authored his biographical entry on Jim Heynen in “Dictionary of Midwestern Literature” (Indiana University Press, 2001), and examines Heynen’s work, as well as the work of late Minneota native Bill Holm, at length in one chapter of his scholarly book, “Rooted: Seven Midwest Writers of Place” (University of Iowa Press, 2006).

Pichaske also included Heynen in SMSU classes on Rural and Regional Literature, and in talks at Minneota High School, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton High School, Renville High School, and many others. Professor Pichaske can provide loan copies of “Late Harvest” and “Rooted” upon request if you email David.Pichaske@smsu.edu

This event may be of interest to many locals as Heynen celebrates the various aspects of our corner of the Midwest and, perhaps more significantly, has made a successful career out of writing about that place. For more information, contact the SMSU English Program at epshdept@SMSU.edu or call 507-537-6815.

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