Fairmont State’s Kestrel Issue 51 Launched

Kestrel: A Journal of Literature and Artand the Fairmont State University Department of Humanities is pleased to announce the publication of Kestrel 51, the Summer 2024 issue.

Kestrel 51features visual art by Kathleen Frank and poetry and prose by Rebecca Baggett, Kelley Beeson, John Coleman Bennett, L. Annette Binder, Jennifer Blackledge, Clay Cantrell, Linda Hillman Chayes, Matt Chelf, Maureen Clark, Kristy Crouse, Rebecca Danelly, Merridawn Duckler, Sara Eddy, Jordan Escobar, Carmen Fought, Kathleen Frank, Sarah Gordon, Peter Grandbois, Benjamin S. Grossberg, David Halliday, Marc Harshman, Cynthia Hogue, Ken Holland, Jessica Huset, Zebulon Huset, Ray Keifetz, Nathaniel Lachenmeyer, Julia Lisella, Kristin Lueke, Martha McCollough, Kathryn Moll, Brian Moore, Marlene Olin, Lisa Marie Oliver, Scott Penney, Cynthia Pratt, Ethel Rackin, Rick Rohdenburg, Elizabeth Savage, Sean Sexton, Emily Shearer, John Warner Smith, Tim Suermondt, Nancy Takacs, David Thoreen, Jesse Wallis, and Melody Wilson.

"With Issue 51 we say farewell to Suzanne Heagy with thanks for sixteen years of service as Kestrel's Fiction Editor," says Donna Long, Professor of English and Editor-in-Chief of Kestrel, "and we welcome new Assistant Professor of English and Fiction Editor for Kestrel Dr. Robert Powers."

Since 1993, Kestrel has published writers and artists from around the world, and since 2008 has celebrated each biannual issue by bringing contributors to Fairmont State's campus for a weekend of literary events. The on-campus Kestrel Celebration is scheduled for October 4 and 5, to celebrate the journal's 51st issue. These events are free and open to the public. This Kestrel Celebration features award-winning, nationally recognized writers Kelley Beeson, Jennifer Blackledge, Maureen Clark, Kristy Crouse, Ray Keifetz, Ethel Rackin, Rick Rohdenburg, Nancy Takacs and David Thoreen.

On Friday, October 4 visiting writers will participate in two panel discussions. At 10 a.m. Dr. Robert Powers will moderate the panel "(Un)Truth in Creative Nonfiction" in Jaynes Hall 105. At 1 p.m. Dr. Donna Long will moderate the panel "The Art of Metaphor" in Jaynes Hall 303.

On Friday, October 4, doors will open at 5:30 p.m. at the Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center for a reception and readings. Visiting writers will read from their original works. Refreshments will be served.

Saturday's reception and readings will take place from 2-4 p.m. at Benny's 1122 Fairmont Avenue in Downtown Fairmont. Visiting writers will read from their original works.

For more information about Kestrel, contact Dr. Donna Long at [email protected]or visit Kestrel's website at www.fairmontstate.edu/kestrel.