Renowned poet, Halliday, to speak June 17

The reading will be at the Sandoz Center Chicoine Atrium on the Chadron State College campus and is free and open to the public.

Halliday, the 2017 Story Catcher Poet in Residence, is the author of six collections of poetry, including his recently published book, “Thresherphobe.”

“Not only is Mark one of the most talented poets currently writing in America but he’s also one of our most engaging readers,” said Story Catcher Workshop Co-Director and Assistant Professor Dr. Steven Coughlin. “A night spent listening to his poems is well worth it.”

Halliday’s honors include serving as the 1994 poet in residence at The Frost Place, inclusion in several annual editions of “The Best American Poetry” series and the “Pushcart Prize” anthology. He also received a 2006 Guggenheim Fellowship and won the 2011 Rome Prize from the Academy of Arts and Letters.

Halliday has taught English literature and writing at several colleges and universities, but has been at Ohio University since 1996. In 2012, he was awarded the rank of distinguished professor.

Halliday's reading won't be the only public event for the Story Catcher Festival Saturday, however. Beginning at 9 a.m. at the Sandoz Center and continuing throughout the day, the Festival will offer free sessions and workshops for writers. The schedule is as follows: 

9 to 10 a.m. - Check-in and breakfast

9:30 to 11 a.m. - Panel presentation with Story Catcher emerging writers

12:30 to 1:45 p.m. - Dreaming the Self, featuring Mari Sandoz Emerging Poet, Natalie Taylor

2 to 3:15 p.m. - Writing with a Knife: The Art of Cutting Things Out, featuring Mari Sandoz Emerging Prose Writer, Alec Osthoff

3:30 to 4:45 p.m. - Open Mic with all writers

5 to 6 p.m. - Reception with light refreshments

6 to 7:30 p.m. - Special Reading with Mark Halliday