Who: Chris Abani is a poet and novelist whose books include The Virgin of Flames, Hands Washing Water, Daphne's Lot, and Graceland. He is a professor at the University of California Riverside and the recipient of numerous awards, including a PEN USA Freedom-to-Write Award, a Lannan Literary Fellowship, a California Book Award, a Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, the PEN Hemingway Book Prize, and a Guggenheim Fellowship.

When: Wednesday, October 14, 7 p.m

Where: Soda Activity Center, Saint Mary's College of California, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga

Contact: MFA Program at (925)631-4457, on the web: MFA Program

Chris Abani photo credit: Claus Gretter

Visit SMC: Saint Mary's College