TCNJ's creative writing organization


Events

ink organizes and hosts events like the Student Reading Series, the Visiting Writers Series, Master Series and The Goods. We also take the occasional field trip to events off campus. Here’s the schedule of events during the Fall 2012 semester. This information may change, so keep an eye on the blog for updates.

Masters Series - Andrea Gibson - more info

February 12 at 7:30 PM in the Mayo Concert Hall

Love/Hate Valentine’s Day Coffeehouse - more info

February 15 at 8:30 PM in the T/W Lounge

Professor Reading Series - Sarah Blake Schoenholtz

March 5 at 7:30 PM in the Library Auditorium

Student Reading Series - more info

April 9 at 8:30 PM in the Library Auditorium

The Goods - more info

April 27 at Noon - 8 PM in the Rat


About the events

Visiting Writers Series

The Visiting Writers Series is a string of events where established writers come to TCNJ and share their work with students. The events take place in the fall semester and are organized and sponsored by the Writing Communities course at TCNJ. Students in the course host the visiting writers and choose writers who will read the following year. ink helps to spread the word about these fantastic events.

Master Series

The Masters Series takes place in the spring semester and usually comprises a Master Lecture and a Master Class. We host two big-name writers either to give a reading and a lecture or to workshop the writing of a selected student from the creative writing minor. These events are always quite special.

Andrea Gibson Andrea Gibson is not gentle with her truths. It is this raw fearlessness that has led her to the forefront of the spoken word movement—the first winner of the Women’s World Poetry Slam—Gibson has headlined prestigious performance venues coast to coast with powerful readings on war, class, gender, bullying, white privilege, sexuality, love, and spirituality. Her work has been featured on the BBC, Air America, C-SPAN, Free Speech TV and in 2010 was read by a state representative in lieu of morning prayer at the Utah State Legislature. Now, on her fifth full-length album FLOWER BOY, Gibson’s poems continue to be a rally cry for action and a welcome mat at the door of the heart’s most compassionate room. Featuring the music of Chris Pureka, Nervous But Excited, and many other phenomenal musical guests the tracks on this compilation are active Volcano. They burn away and rebirth- a creation story in every lyric, radiating with the fire of a heart fiercely committed to social justice.

—Courtesy of Andrea Gibson’s agent, Christen Greene, Faux Pas Productions

Student Reading Series

The Student Reading Series gives students a chance to perform original work before an audience of their peers and professors. Once or twice a semester, we select about three of TCNJ’s strongest writers, give them a mic, allow them to pick someone to introduce them, and have a small reception with light refreshments after the event. You can download the application and apply now by sending a completed copy to ink@tcnj.edu or ink’s mailbox in Bliss Hall. For questions, contact Frank Sung or Amy Chen of the events team.

The Goods

The Goods is an all-day student arts festival held each semester in the Rat. We invite students to perform just about anything they can think of. We’ve had students read poetry and prose, play music, freestyle, present artwork, demonstrate Tai Chi, and the list goes on. The Goods is capped off with a reading by a featured visiting writer. You can apply now by downloading the application and sending it to ink@tcnj.edu.

Coffeehouses

Coffeehouses are informal get-togethers where writers and their friends can enjoy an evening of coffee and snacks while sharing original pieces. Whether you have something to share or you want to listen to the works of your peers, all students are welcome. Sometimes our coffeehouses are themed, such as our Halloween Coffeehouse in the fall, or our Love/Hate Coffeehouse in February. It’s always a great time.


Off-campus Events

Monthly

Writers Room Group

Third Tuesday of the month until May 23 in the Princeton Room at the Princeton Public Library

Weekly

Wednesday Writer’s Workshop

Every Wednesday at 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM in the Princeton Room at the Princeton Public Library

Open Mic Mondays ($5 at the door)

Every Monday at 9:00 PM at Nuyorican Poets Cafe

Friday Night Poetry Slam ($10 at the door)

Every Friday at 10pm at Nuyorican Poets Cafe

February

Conversation Series: Natasha Trethewey and Tracy K. Smith

February 28 at 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM in the Chancellor Green Rotunda at Princeton University

March

Mystery Book Group, led by librarian Gayle Stratton

March 4 at 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM in the Quiet Room at Princeton Public Library

Poets at the Library: Sharon Olson and Vasiliki Katsarou

March 11 at 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM at the Fireplace on the 2nd Floor of the Princeton Public Library

Fiction Book Group: “A Personal Matter” by Kenzaburo Oe

March 14 at 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM in the Conference Room on the 2nd floor of the Princeton Public Library

What’s Up Princeton’s Open Mic Night

March 15 at 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM at the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts

Princeton Poetry Festival

March 15 at 10:00 AM - March 16 at 2:00 PM in the Richardson Auditorium at Princeton University

Author Appearance: Ifa Bayeza

March 22 at 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM in the Community Room at the Princeton Public Library

Urbintel presents VERSES

March 30 at 10:00 PM at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe

April

Literary Tours: “Old New York” With Edith Wharton and Her Friends

April 3 at 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM starting from Community Park North

May

Althea Ward Clark W ‘21 Reading Series

May 1 at 5:15 PM in the Chancellor Green Rotunda at Princeton University