Missouri State University’s Department of English will host a creative writing reading featuring award-winning poet Dr. Taylor Byas.
The reading will take place at 7 p.m. April 12 in Meyer Library, Room 101.
The event is free and open to the public.
Byas, who won the 2023 Maya Angelou Book Award, will read from her latest poetry collection, “I Done Clicked my Heels Three Times.”
The award is named after the late legendary poet and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou.
Sponsored by the Kansas City Public Library and six universities across Missouri, including Missouri State, it is given to a book that demonstrates dedication to social justice and diversity.
“The winner travels to Kansas City and all six universities each spring to read and discuss the chosen book,” said Michael Czyzniejewski, MSU English professor and coordinator of the creative writing program. “This is the third year of the prize and MSU has been involved since the beginning.”
“Byas is a tremendous poet and reader, and she will provide an entertaining and thought-provoking reading. She will also sign copies of her book, which will be sold at the event,” Czyzniejewski said.
“Anyone can attend, but we’re very particular about MSU students, faculty and staff participating, especially those in the English department. This is because this event kicks off English Week, which starts on April 15, after the reading,” he added.
Expanding MSU’s literary scene
The English department sponsors about four to six readings every year. The department also sponsors Moon City Press and Moon City Review, which brings international writing talent to the Ozarks community.
“Hosting readings every year expands our community’s horizons and exposes our students to great writing that exhibits fantastic themes,” Czyzniejewski said.
Some upcoming events include:
- Creative writing submission party from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 15 in Siceluff Hall, Room 126.
- Undergraduate Literature Conference from 9:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. April 18, and 9:05 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. April 19 in Hill Hall, Room 001.
- Student Invitational at 7 p.m., April 19 in Meyer Library, Room 101.
View the English Week schedule
To learn about poetry reading events or get involved, follow the English department on Facebook.
About Byas
Byas is a Black Chicago native currently living in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she is a features editor for The Rumpus; an acquisitions poetry editor for Variant Literature; a member of the Beloit Poetry Journal editorial board; and a 2023-24 National Book Critics Emerging Fellow.
Her debut full-length poetry collection, “I Done Clicked My Heels Three Times,” published by Soft Skull Press, also won the 2023 Chicago Review of Books Award in Poetry and was named a 2024 Honor Book for Best Poetry by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.
Her second full-length poetry collection, “Resting Bitch Face,” is forthcoming in 2025.
Byas is also a co-editor of The Southern Poetry Anthology, Vol X: Alabama from Texas Review Press, and Poemhood: Our Black Revival, a young adult anthology from HarperCollins.
She is represented by Rena Rossner of the Deborah Harris Agency.
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