FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2004

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

PICKARD AND JOHNSTON TO VISIT DRAKE FOR WRITERS AND CRITICS SERIES

On Monday, Nov. 8, Drake University’s Writers and Critics Series will present authors Tom Pickard and Devin Johnston. The event will include readings from the authors’ books followed by a discussion session. The event, which is free and open to the public, will start at 8 p.m. in the Cowles Library Reading Room, 28th Street and University Avenue.

Pickard, who lives on the edge of Fiend's Fell in the Northern Pennine Hills on the English-Scottish border, will read from his book titled "Hole in the Wall: New and Selected Poems." He is the author of 10 books of poetry and prose, including "The Dark Months of May" and "We Make Ships." He has also directed and produced a number of documentary films for British television. Pickard is currently writing a libretto, "The Ballad of Jamie Allan," for composer John Harle.

Johnston, who lives in St. Louis, will read from "Telepathy," one of his books of poetry. He also has written another book of poetry titled "Aversions" as well as a book of criticism, "Precipitations: Contemporary American Poetry as Occult Practice." From 1995-2000, Johnston served as poetry editor for Chicago Review. He now directs a small press called Flood Editions with Michael O'Leary.

The Writers and Critics Series is sponsored by the Drake University English Department and the Drake Center for Humanities. For more information, contact Graham Foust at (515) 271-2880 or graham.foust@drake.edu.

- 30 -