alabama

Poet, playwright, and novelist Owen Dodson reads a range of poems from his distinguished career. As he introduces his poems, Dodson reflects on his consciousness as a writer, from his undergraduate days at Bates College to his engagement with spirituality, Civil Rights, and social justice.

Nanci Kincaid reads from a manuscript written during her time teaching at the University of Arizona that would eventually become her novel Verbena (2002). This early draft is untitled, and was originally intended to be the second in a trilogy of novellas collectively titled Three Wives.

Robert Houston reads from the manuscript of a novel in progress with the working title The Book of the South, about Reconstruction era Alabama. He dedicates this reading to the memory of Cecil Robinson, former chairman of the University of Arizona English Department.