The Writers in Paradise in literary conference at Eckerd College has featured a star-studded lineup with bestsellers like Dennis Lehane, Andre Dubus III and Tim O'Brien headlining free readings this year. Tonight, the Poet Laureate of St. Petersburg and CL contributor Peter Meinke, who offers inspiration verse for our Poet's Notebook, will read from his new collection, Lucky Ones, and other works.[jump]
Meinke selected Poet’s Notebook columns for his recent collection Truth and Affection, which features the uniquely endearing illustrations by wife Jeanne Meinke that appear with Peter's columns. CL Editor David Warner provided the foreword.
Over the course of his mightily prolific career, Meinke has published 17 books of poems and short stories. His collection, The Piano Tuner, won the 1986 Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction, and he has received many awards for his poetry. The New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, Poetry and other magazines have published his works.
Also scheduled: Laura Williams McCaffrey, author of children’s fantasy novels Marked, Water Shaper and Alia Waking. The forthcoming release Lucky Ones is Meinke's eighth book in the prestigious Pitt Poetry Series. Free. Tonight, Tues., Jan. 21, 8 p.m. Miller Auditorium, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg. 727-864-7994. writersinparadise.com.