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.