OXFORD,
Miss- Award-winning poet Terrance Hayes visits the University of
Mississippi Thursday (Oct. 9) as part of the John and Renee Grisham
Visiting Writer Series.
Hayes is scheduled to give a 7 p.m.
reading in Bishop Hall, Room 209. He will sign books before the
reading, at 5 p.m. at Square Books in Oxford. Both events are free and
open to the public.
UM professors are eagerly anticipating Hayes’ appearance.
“Terrance Hayes is a profound, passionate writer whose poetry inhabits a wide range of subject matter and voices with beauty, crackling vitality and playful ease,” said Ann Fisher-Wirth, professor of English. “I am delighted he is coming to our community.”
“Hayes is a superb performer of his poetry,” said Gary Short, professor of English. “I am thrilled to have someone of his caliber here at the university to speak.”
Hayes is the author of three outstanding books of poetry, including “Muscular Music,” winner of the 2000 Kate Tufts Discovery Award; and “Hip Logic,” recipient of the 2001 National Poetry Series open competition. His latest work, “Wind in a Box,” has already earned a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, a Pushcart Prize and a 2005 Best American Poetry selection for works featured in the book. His work has been featured on “The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer.”
Born in Columbia, S.C., Hayes was an excellent athlete, painter and poet. His talents earned him a scholarship to Coker College in Hartsville, S.C., where he received his bachelor’s degree. He earned his master of fine arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
Hayes resides in Pittsburgh, where he is a professor of creative writing at Carnegie Mellon University. He is married to poet Yona Harvey.
For more information or for assistance related to a disability, contact Gary Short at 662-915-7439 or by e-mail gshort@olemiss.edu .