George Saunders at Stanford University

Last week, George Saunders came to Stanford University for a reading and colloquium, as part of the Lane Lecture Series. Mr. Saunders told the audience that he'd begin with a very serious academic lecture on literature, but if you've read any of his stories, you might have been a little suspicious... Sure enough, Saunders' quips soon had the auditorium filled with laughter. After the "lecture," Saunders read his short story "CommComm."

Here's the director of the Stanford Creative Writing Program, poet Eavan Boland, with a warm welcome.

Then to introduce Saunders is fiction writer Tobias Wolff. Wolff taught and mentored Saunders at Syracuse University.

George Saunders.

Saunders miming the time he ate an enormous cheeseburger. (Just kidding.)

At the colloquium the next morning, Saunders discussed the meaning of progress in one's writing (with some helpful advice for writers and students) and finished with a question and answer session.

Saunders was most gracious in speaking with attendees and signing books.

After the colloquium, attendees enjoying lunch on the patio.

Stephen King, Tabitha King, and Owen King reading

It's been a while since I've posted any images here, as graduate school and wedding planning have been keeping me running around like a gazelle. I have so many great images that I want to post: Erica's baby, the Marrakesh dinner, the National Geographic frog exhibit, family photos from the holidays, but I think those will have to wait until I find some free time to sort and edit. But I did recently come across an incredible photography opportunity that I jumped on, also much like a gazelle.

The PEN/Faulkner Foundation organized a reading titled "The Three Kings," featuring Stephen King and also his wife, Tabitha, and son, Owen, who are also accomplished writers. The reading took place last Friday, April 4th, at the Lutheran Church across the street from the Folger Shakespeare Library. My friend Elizabeth is the PEN/Faulkner intern (she's the lovely lady in front of the capital pictured below) and she connected me with PEN/Faulkner. There was so much excitement at the reading; there were fans waiting at the church doors six hours before the reading, to get the best seats. Mary Kay Zuravleff gave a wonderful introduction for the Kings. I had a great time; enjoy the images!

Fall for the Book 2007

Every year, George Mason University organizes Fall for the Book, a literary festival that is pretty much the best collegiate literary festival in the world. They bring in dozens of writers, from all sorts of genres and from all over the country. I am currently a graduate student in the MFA writing program at GMU, so I was coerced in taking photographs at some of the Fall for the Book events. Actually, I'm did it gladly, I love photography :)

The images here are from the readings by Jennifer Egan, Alexandra Fuller, and James Houston (respectively). I had the opportunity to drive James Houston around the Fairfax area and although I had printed internet directions, I got horribly lost (on both occasions) but he was really nice about it. I wish I had been in his Visiting Writer's class this semester but I did manage to get a spot next semester, when Jennifer Egan will be coming back for it. If you're looking for books to add to your reading list, check out The Keep, Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight, and Birds of Another Heaven.