Readings & Events
The Zell Visiting Writers Series constitutes the backbone of the HZWP events calendar, bringing the world of contemporary literature to Ann Arbor with visits from working writers that include readings, extensive student-moderated Q&A sessions, individual consultations, craft lectures, and public panel discussions with members of our faculty. The Edwards Readings and Webster Readings are organized by first-year and second-year students respectively, and feature their poetry and prose. Post-graduate Zell fellows are regularly invited to introduce and/or open for writers scheduled to visit local bookstore Literati.
In addition to the various reading series, HZWP also seeks to offer an array of programming that incorporates the considerable resources of the University writ large and strengthens ties with the greater Metro Detroit area. Recent such events include the Medical Arts Dinner, an interdisciplinary exchange with members of the University of Michigan Medical Arts Program, and the Fortify Writing Summit, a writing retreat at the Charles T. Fisher Mansion sponsored jointly with Literary Detroit and Write-A-House. The Helen Zell Writers’ Program is committed to fostering community and providing our students with varied opportunities for development as writers, artists, and responsive, invested human beings.
Conflict and Peace Initiative Lecture: Galvanizing Social Justice through Comics
The Conflict and Peace Initiative was launched in the fall of 2016 and is funded by the International Institute Enterprise Fund. Its focus is to build a cross-disciplinary approach to peace and conflict studies that engages, challenges, and inspires new audiences.
Additional support for this event is provided by: Department of Near Eastern Studies; Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies; Art, Architecture, and Engineering Library; Global Scholars Program; Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs; Community Action Social Change; Arab and Muslim American Studies; Department of English Language and Literature; Department of Sociology; Department of Political Science; Department of Anthropology; Helen Zell Writers' Program; Donia Human Rights Center; Center for World Performance Studies; Program in International and Comparative Studies; Islamic Studies Program; Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives; Center for Global and Intercultural Study; Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies; Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice; Center for International & Comparative Law; Department of Comparative Literature; Judaic Studies; Transnational Comics Workshop; Department of Political Science; University Library; and Prison Creative Arts Project.
Many HZWP events are free and open to the public. For additional information, including information about co-sponsorships, please contact the MFA Office at 734.615.3710.