Each year, usually in the spring, a distinguished author gives a reading and conducts a workshop or roundtable with students, thanks to funding by a generous anonymous donor. Distinguished authors have included W.S. Merwin, Marilynne Robinson, John Edgar Wideman, Ana Castillo, Adrienne Rich, and Edward P. Jones.
2011-2012 Distinguished Author Mark Doty
Poet Mark Doty read from several of his poetry collections on Thursday, April 12, 2012. A prominent writer at Rutgers University, Doty received the National Book Award for his 2008 book of poems, “Fire to Fire.” Doty is the “Distinguished Author” in this year’s Writers@Grinnell program.
Past Distinguished Authors at Grinnell
