Fantasy Matters Conference

English graduate students have organized a November 16-18 conference here about fantasy literature featuring keynote speakers Neil Gaiman, author of the Sandman series of graphic novels, and Jack Zipes, noted UM scholar of fairy tales and folklore. Other featured authors are Patrick Rothfuss, Pamela Dean, Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu, and many local fantasy writers including MFA alumna Haddayr Copley-Woods.

Undergraduate Student Organization

Put Down the Book and Talk to Someone!

FUSE, the Fellowship of Undergraduate Students of English, invites majors to meet each other in a variety of settings. The mission of FUSE, according to its founding members, is “to connect to the literary pulse of the Twin Cities and provide a dynamic student community for English majors at the University of Minnesota.�

Regular Activity:
*weekly English Study Nights, every Tuesday night, 6pm-9pm at Marrakesh Coffee in Dinkytown, to hash out ideas for the next paper, discuss recently-read books, or just hang out!

For more information on events, study nights, and other activities, students can contact: UMN.FUSE@gmail.com, check out the FUSE website, and “Put down the book and talk to someone!�

Professor's Oratorio Nears Sell-Out

The oratorio To Be Certain of the Dawn, by composer Stephen Paulus and Department of English professor Michael Dennis Browne, is nearly sold out for its single performance at Orchestra Hall on Tuesday, February 12, with the Minnesota Orchestra. The orchestra has announced tickets for the dress rehearsal, at 10 am that day. The Minnesota Orchestra debuted the oratorio two years ago at the Basilica of St. Mary and will be recording it for Bis Records after the February performance. Music director and conductor Osmo Vanska talks about the work.

Andrew Scheil Named McKnight Fellow

Congratulations to associate professor Andrew Scheil, who received a McKnight Presidential Fellowship. The Fellowship recognizes promising faculty who recently gained tenure and the rank of associate professor. The awards include three years of research support. Scheil is currently on sabbatical with a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship.

Hampl Celebrates New Memoir

Professor Patricia Hampl marked the publication of her fifth memoir The Florist's Daughter at the Fitzgerald Theater on October 7; the event will be broadcast on MPR. Also on the 7th, the New York Times ran a rave review describing The Florist's Daughter as "Hampl’s finest, most powerful book yet."

COST OF FREEDOM (Anthology, Howling Dog Press)

Leigh Herrick, English and French summa cum laude graduate, University of Minnesota, is published in COST OF FREEDOM: The Anthology of Peace & Activism in which she has two poems. Leigh Herrick is a multimedia artist. Discover her work on mnartists.org.

Off the Shelf—a New Book Club for Alumni

Off the Shelf: A Book Discussion Series with English@Minnesota invites alumni to join University of Minnesota English professors in good conversation about books. We will be reading works from visiting writers, department faculty, and playwrights who are being produced on local stages; the monthly series features books by Paul Muldoon, Patricia Hampl, Charles Baxter, and Shakespeare, among others. The play readings will include a field trip to the theatrical production. All discussions free (theater tickets purchased by individual). Advanced registration necessary: see schedule and registration information.