Visiting Writer Seminars

The opportunity to hear from and talk with important contemporary writers has been a vital part of an OBU education for many years. Beginning in 2010, the English Department Reading Series brought writers to campus, focusing on writers living in the area. The Visiting Writer Seminars then began as a way to make the reading series more ambitious and to widen its appeal by seeking to elevate the experience for students and the campus community.

The University’s first visiting writer, Tania Runyan, came to campus in March 2016. She read from her poems, lectured on writing poetry and consulted with students about their writing.

Scott Cairns joined the University for the 2017 Visiting Writer Seminar, giving a poetry reading and teaching a master class on writing memoir. Gina Ochsner held a reading and a fiction writing master class in the Fall of 2017. Mark Jarman came to campus in September 2018 as the Visiting Writer and keynote speaker for the Southwest Conference on Christianity and Literature. Ron Hansen discussed writing and creativity in October 2019.

Other visiting writers have included Diane Glancy, renowned author of Cherokee descent, gifted in the genres of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and playwriting in 2021.  Kirstin Valdez Quade, the author of novels and short stories that wrestle with the bonds and obligations of family, faith and place was featured in 2022.  Rubén Degollado, gave a public reading and led a writing workshop for those interested in writing fiction during the fall of 2023.

Support the Visiting Writer Seminars

We value your support in continuing to provide these opportunities for enrichment to our students. You can make a gift through the Advancement Office and continue to bring excellent writers to OBU's campus.