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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Authors from Literary Feast Speak with Farquhar College Students & Faculty
Four nationally acclaimed authors spent a day at NSU, speaking with students and faculty members from the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences on Mar. 19. The authors—(from left) R.B. Bernstein, Ellen Lupton, Russell Banks, and Patricia Powell—were in South Florida for Literary Feast, a two-day event composed of talks, workshops, and book signings with more than 20 renowned writers, sponsored by the Broward Public Library Foundation. The authors participated in a luncheon and also visited classes to meet with students and discuss their work and the future of the writing industry.
Four nationally acclaimed authors met and spoke with students and faculty members from the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences on Mar. 19. The authors—Russell Banks, R.B. Bernstein, Ellen Lupton, and Patricia Powell – were in South Florida for Literary Feast, a two-day event sponsored by the Broward Public Library Foundation, that features talks, workshops, and book signings with more than 20 renowned authors.
While at NSU, Banks, Bernstein, Lupton, and Powell joined various students and faculty members from the college for a luncheon, culminating in an informal question-and-answer panel session. The authors each spoke about the evolution and future of the publishing industry in the digital age. Banks, an award-winning novelist and multiple-Pulitzer Prize finalist, and Powell, who is recognized as a major voice in Caribbean literature, also provided insight to developing characters and plots. Bernstein, an historian and author, spoke on ways of overcoming writer’s block—such as alternating between typing on a computer and writing on paper. Lupton, an acclaimed graphic designer and writer, discussed how graphic designers can improve their craft by learning the industry’s latest tools and technology.
Prior to the luncheon, novelist Banks met and spoke with students from the college’s British Literature II class in the Division of Humanities. Banks discussed topics such as what it means to be a writer and the power of good writing. He also shared stories about his journey from young artist to award-winning writer. Banks explained that during his freshman year of college, he hungered for a new identity and perspective on life—and discovered writing could provide him with both.
Bernstein, also a distinguished adjunct professor of law at New York Law School, talked with students from the college’s Introduction to Legal Studies class. The historian spoke about the U.S. constitution and how it affects the legal system. The conversation was followed by a lively Q & A session with the students.
Powell visited students in a section of the college’s Writing About Literature course to discuss her previous works and her latest novel, 2009’s The Fullness of Everything. The students asked questions about Powell’s various characters and stories and also learned more about the writer’s life as a published author.
Later in the afternoon, author and graphic designer Lupton spoke to students in the Division of Performing and Visual Arts about typography, which refers to the visual arrangement, presentation, and style of text. Her discussion included examples of “crimes against typography,” such as newspaper layouts and commercial signs containing errors and improper typography. Lupton is an author of multiple textbooks on the subject and directs the M.F.A. in Graphic Design degree program at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore.
This year marked the 22nd Literary Feast, with NSU serving as a title sponsor. For more information on the event, visit www.bplfoundation.org/literaryfeast.htm.