By Katie Willis, Staff writer
Former head of the creative writing department Gary Fincke read from his newest publication, “The Out-ofSorts: New and Selected Stories,” on March 5 in Isaacs Auditorium.
Steve Yarbrough, a professor in the department of writing at Emerson College, said in an article for the Daily Item about Fincke’s visit, “I think he’s writing some of the best stories, and he’s been consistently first-rate for a long time.”
Yarbrough also expressed support for Fincke for his style of stories. “He engages the reader more quickly than just about any writer I can think of, never beating around the bush.”
Associate professor of English and creative writing Glen Retief introduced Fincke before Susquehanna alumna E.J. Schwartz, who spoke on her experience as a student of Fincke’s.
Schwartz said Fincke was full of “passion and encouragement” as utilized multiple genres in his work and classes.
Schwartz also said that Fincke was honest and informative in workshops, with a clear goal to ensure that each student received specific critiques and comments to improve their work.
Fincke began by reading two essays published in online magazines, “During the Farm Show Parade” and “Yams.”
From the essay “Yams,” Fincke noted how the normally insignificant yam brought him a different kind of revelation.
“When I had children of my own who complained about yams, wishing for French fries or mashed potatoes with gravy, the milk carton that sat on the table during dinner always featured the face of a missing child,” Fincke said.
“‘Have You Seen Me?’ its caption read, and those faces reminded me to be thankful, even as my children yammered their petty complaint,” Fincke continued.
Fincke further discussed “The Out-of-Sorts” and the process of selecting the rather comical cover.
The cover, illustrating portraits of dogs in sweaters, is attributed to the collection’s titular story, “The Out-of-Sorts.”
Fincke finished by reading one of his newest stories, “Things That Fall from the Sky.” This story showcased a multi-perspective reaction to an incident involving teens dropping rocks off a highway on Route 80.
The event ended with Fincke presenting a senior with the Gary Fincke Creative Writing Prize, which is given in honor of the best senior portfolio. This year’s award went to Jillian Mannarino.
Students and faculty both commented on the pleasure of having Fincke read, especially after his departure.
Senior Sage Negron said, “I thought the reading was both funny and moving and it makes me miss him as a professor even more.”
Adjunct faculty in English Louie Land said, “Gary will always have a place at Susquehanna. It was great to hear him read from his new work and see him meet some of the new majors in the program he founded.”
Fincke originally began working at Susquehanna in the 80s teaching English after earning his doctorate from Kent State in 1974.
In 1993, Fincke founded the Writers Institute and retired in 2016. Fincke is the recipient of multiple awards for his poetry, including the Bess Hokin Prize from “Poetry” magazine and the Rose Lefcowitz Prize from “Poet Lore.”
Fincke’s collection “Writing Letters for the Blind” won the 2003 Ohio State University Press poetry prize.
Fincke’s prose has also earned the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction in 2003, a PEN Syndicated Fiction Prize, a George Garrett Fiction Prize, a Lewis Prize for Nonfiction and two Pushcart Prizes, among others.
Previous visiting writers this year include Joseph Scapellato, Claire Vaye Watkins and Derek Palacio, Ishion Hutchinson, Karla Kelsey and Silas Zobal, Jennifer Weis, Aminatta Forna and Sayed Kashua. Melissa Goodrich will be the final visitor of the year in April.
In addition to hosting visiting writers through the Seavey Reading Series, the Writers Institute also supports multiple literary magazines on campus: “Rivercraft,” “Essay” magazine, the “Susquehanna Review” and “Apprentice Writer.” The institute also supports smaller publications and the Forum for Undergraduate Student Editors.
Other events hosted by the institute include senior readings throughout the year and a chapbook series.
Future senior readings will take place on April 6 and April 23 at 7 p.m. in Lore Degenstein Gallery.
“Susquehanna Review” will launch on March 26 at 7 p.m. in Degenstein Studio Theater and “Rivercraft” will launch on April 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Stretansky Concert Hall in conjunction with Goodrich as a special guest.