The written word is a powerful force – one that can create haunting stories, adoring verses, imaginative lyrics, belly-aching laughs, dramatic speeches, and theatrical spectacles. This variety will be celebrated during  John Tyler Community College’s 18th Annual Literary Festival, February 19–28, 2013. The festival will feature Joe Oestreich, an author, songwriter and musician whose memoir, Hitless Wonder: A Life in Minor League Rock and Roll, documents his twenty-plus years in the rock band Watershed. Oestreich’s work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Esquire, Ninth Letter, Fourth Genre, and in other publications. He is an assistant professor of English and creative writing at Coastal Carolina University.  In addition to participating in a reading and book signing event that will be open to the community, Oestreich will lead writing workshops designed specifically for John Tyler students.

To learn more about Joe Oestreich, visit http://joeoestreich.com/. For additional information about the John Tyler Community College Literary Festival, visit www.facebook.com/johntylercc, or contact Jeff Landon at jlandon@jtcc.edu or 804-594-1473.  For directions to John Tyler Community College’s Chester and Midlothian campuses, go to www.jtcc.edu/locations.

EVENT SCHEDULE
The Literary Festival features several events that are open to the public, including:

Joe Oestreich Reception, Reading and Book Signing
February 19 - 7:00 p.m.
Midlothian Campus, Hamel Hall, room H109

Student and Faculty Readings
February 21 - 11:30 a.m.
Midlothian Campus, Hamel Hall, room H109

Student Speech Contest
February 26 - 1:00 p.m.
Chester Campus, Bird Hall, room B124

Theatre Presentation: The Belle of Amherst
A staged reading by actress Catherine Bryne, who teaches acting at John Tyler.
February 26 - 7:00 p.m.
Midlothian Campus, Hamel Hall, room H109

Student and Faculty Readings
February 28 - 11:30 a.m.
Chester Campus, Bird Hall, room B124

All of the above activities open to the community, and admission is free. Light refreshments will be served.