This week's events at the NYS Summer Writers Institute

The Saratoga summer season gets into full swing when the thoroughbreds start racing on Thursday, but we have more than horses on our mind. Novelists, poets, essayists, short story writers, and a film screening and discussion, all at the New York State Summer Writers Institute event at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs.

We're giving these events a big push. Since 1987, when Skidmore's Bob Boyers first teamed up with NYS Writers Institute Founder William Kennedy to create this summer program, an extraordinary lineup of writers have visited Saratoga for a series of classes and free readings.

Let's support these writers and poets while they're right here in our backyard.

New York State Summer Writers Institute

Readings and talks are free and open to the public.

The Caffe Lena event require tickets.

Except where noted, the readings begin at 8 p.m. at

Gannett Auditorium, Palamountain Hall

Skidmore College

815 North Broadway in Saratoga Springs

Phone: 518-580-5593

Week 3

Tuesday, July 11 at 8 p.m.

Novelist Binnie Kirshenbaum (Rabbits for Food) and poet Peg Boyers (To Forget Venice; Hard Bread; Honey With Tobacco)

Wednesday, July 12, 6 p.m:

Film Night: Screening of “Tár” (with Kate Blanchett) followed by discussion with Susan Kress, Edward J. Delaney and Peg Boyers (Robert Boyers, moderator)

Thursday, July 13 at 8 p.m.

American linguist and New York Times columnist John McWhorter (Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America) and author Thomas Chatterton Williams (contributing writer The Atlantic; Self-Portrait in Black and White) followed by audience Q & A.

Friday, July 14 at 8 p.m. at Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs

An Evening of New Fiction with Adam Braver and Rick Moody.

Novelist Rick Moody (The Ice Storm; Hotels of North America) and novelist Adam Braver (November 22, 1963; Rejoice the Head of Paul McCartney )

Link to tickets:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-of-new-fiction-with-adam-braver-and-rick-moody-tickets-641487836387

You may also purchase a ticket to stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV: https://caffelena.tv/categories/live-streams

Week 4

Monday, July 17:

Fictionist Francine Prose (The Vixen) and novelist-memoirist Danzy Senna (Caucasia; Where Did You Sleep Last Night)

Tuesday, July 18:

Novelist Joyce Carol Oates (Zombie; Blonde; The (Other) You: Stories) and poet April Bernard (The World Behind the World: Poems)

Wednesday, July 19:

Remembering Russell Banks (Foregone; Affliction; The Lost Memory of Skin)

Joyce Carol Oates, Nicholas Delbanco (It is Enough; What Remains), Tom Healy (What the Right Hand Knows; Velvet; Animal Spirits), Adam Braver and Robert Boyers, Payne Room, Tang Museum, Skidmore College

Thursday, July 20:

Update: Marilynne Robinson (Gilead; Housekeeping) and poet Henri Cole (Blizzard: Poems, Nothing To Declare) Jamaica Kincaid was originally scheduled to read at this event.

Friday, July 21:

Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and NYS Writers Institute founder William Kennedy (Very Old Bones; Legs; Ironweed) & Friends