Founded 40 years ago by the novelist and professor Frederick Busch, Living Writers is a signature program of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø. It’s both a for-credit course (Engl. 360), offered every fall for 50 undergraduates, and a companion program for alumni, parents, community members, and friends of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø. The course and the program are led by faculty in the Department of English and Creative Writing with generous support from the Olive B. O'Connor Fund as well as the President and the Provost/Dean of the Faculty.
What is Living Writers?
Who can participate?
Only ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø students can enroll in our on-campus course, ENGL 360, but anyone can participate—at any level—in this not-for-credit program. The Living Writers community is made up of 6,000+ people, most of them ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and residents of the village of Hamilton.
How do I get started?
It’s easy! Pick one or more books from our list and start reading. Listen to our three-question podcast with the author, then check out some of the background reading we’ve compiled for you. Join ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø faculty and others for a Zoom book discussion, then join us again—in person or via Zoom—for the author’s appearance on campus.
For 10 tips on how to get the most out of Living Writers, click here.
Is there a way to watch author presentations after the fact?
A day or two after each author event, we’ll send an email with a link to an archived recording. These recordings will be available until December 31.
How do I sign up for Living Writers?
. Feel free to pass along the link to anyone else who might be interested.
How much does it cost?
Living Writers is completely free.
How do you pick the books?
This is the one question without an easy answer! We sometimes compare the book selection process to complex flower arranging. We’re looking for diversity in every sense of that word: ethnic diversity, national diversity, gender diversity, and age diversity. Every year, we try to bring well-known writers as well as early-career ones. We try to bring people working in multiple genres and forms. Some years we try to focus on a particular theme; most years, we simply let a few shared questions burble to the surface. If you read a book that knocks you sideways and you want to suggest it to us, please do. You can reach us at livingwriters@colgate.edu.
Can I interact with the authors when they come to campus?
An audience Q&A will follow each presentation. Obviously, it will be easier to ask a question if you’re physically present, but if you’d like to pose one through the Zoom chat function, our moderator will be happy to try to ask it for you.
Where do I find the books?
The ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø and Hamilton Village libraries have all of this year’s Living Writers books. They’re also available from the , which will ship them to you for free.
Can I get my copy signed?
A book-signing will follow each of our live events this fall. If you’re unable to attend in person, contact Kate Reynolds at the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Bookstore (kereynolds@colgate.edu) to arrange for a signed copy.