The 22nd annual H. P. Lovecraft Forum will take place on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m. in Jacobson Faculty Tower, room 1010.

Participants include Robert Waugh (English), John Langan (English), Jed Mayers (English) and Judith Johnson, professor emeritus of the University at Albany.

The event is free and open to the public. Any questions should be addressed to Robert Waugh (English) at x2754.

Front cover of WaterWrites. Image submitted

Laurence Carr (English) has set sail with an anthology that tells the story of the Hudson River through the creative works of Hudson Valley writers.

Sixty writers are featured in “WaterWrites,” which was published by Codhill Press of New Paltz on Oct. 21. There are well over 12 writers from the college who contributed to the 136-page book.

Carr added that “WaterWrites” is a SUNY New Paltz book. In addition to the more than 12 writers from the college, the 136-page book was designed by Laura Kniffen (Design Services) and the cover photograph was taken by Morgan Gwenwald (Library). Joann Deiudicibus (English), Penny Freel (English) and Rachel Rigolino (English) assisted Carr with the editing of the manuscript.

Inside, the works of professional and amateur writers from the area span the literary and environmental plain. There are essays, short stories, poetry and more. All works share a common theme: the Hudson River. Carr said there was an amazing amount of submissions from high school students, college students, graduates, professional and amateur writers. “The submissions cover the spectrum of every Hudson Valley person,” he said.

“I am so happy to have a very active profile of Hudson Valley writers to celebrate the region and prose and poetry,” said Carr.

The idea came to Carr at a meeting discussing events for the Hudson River Quadricentennial. Carr thought it would be a good idea to have a literary component to the historic celebration. Carr, who had previously edited Riverine, an anthology of works from Hudson Valley writers, decided to get to work.

“This is a people’s book, not an academic publication,” he said. “It also combines the community and university and makes us one entity.”

There will be readings held up and down the river. A launch party is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Inquiring Minds Bookstore in New Paltz.

Tobias Wolff. Photo submitted

First-year students in the English Department’s Composition Program will have a chance to speak with the author of this year’s required book reading when Tobias Wolff visits campus in April 2010.

As the fourth guest in the Distinguished Speaker Series, Wolff will discuss his 2003 novel, “Old School,” at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2010, in McKenna Theatre.

Pauline Uchmanowicz (English), director of the Composition Program, said the composition faculty is delighted that Wolff has been chosen as Distinguished Speaker for spring 2010.

“Tobias Wolff’s visit to our campus will offer students in the Composition Program a rare opportunity to make a connection between literary page and living author. It may even encourage some to undertake a writer’s life,” said Uchmanowicz.

Wolff is best known for his memoirs and short stories. Notable works include “This Boy’s Life” and “In Pharaoh’s Army: Memories of the Lost War;” the short novel “The Barracks Thief;” and four collections of short stories – “In the Garden of the North American Martyrs,” “Back in the World,” “The Night in Question” and, most recently, “Our Story Begins: New and Selected Stories.”

Tickets for the event will go on sale in early 2010.