Award-winning author Jeff VanderMeer came to ETSU to talk with students and community members while reading an excerpt from his trilogy.
On Wednesday, October 25, VanderMeer came to ETSU’s Ball Hall to share a reading and take questions from attendees. VanderMeer is a New York Times Best Seller with his “Southern Reach” trilogy. The first novel in the series, “Annihilation,” won the Nebula Award and Shirley Jackson Award, and was made into a movie in 2018 by Paramount.
Joshua Reid, associate chair in the English department, said, “He engages with areas of interest to virtually everyone, including science fiction, post-apocalypse, horror, climate fiction, weird fiction and ecological literature.”
Students and faculty at ETSU welcomed VanderMeer to the campus with greeting discussions and questions. Those who attended the event were able to hear a special reading from his upcoming book which is the next addition to his “Southen Reach” trilogy.
“Events at ETSU give numerous entry points to his diverse work, from film adaptation to writing practice to environmental stewardship,” Reid said.
ETSU provides its students and members with events and opportunities that will appeal to everyone and can engage them in something new. This event allowed students and members to discover something new or meet an author they may have read before. VanderMeer has works for everyone to enjoy and has experience in different fields that students may have interests in.
“Reading VanderMeer is one of the most memorable literary experiences you can have – his writing unsettles; it alters your sense of self and place in the world,” Reid said.
ETSU plans to continue events similar to these and hopes to bring figures in that will interest everyone on campus. Members of the ETSU community can attend events like this throughout the year. Students can find the next event or guest coming to campus on the ETSU website.
