Elizabeth Hand	Rosemary Catacalos	Brian Evenson	Christopher Howell	Paul Ruffin

The University of Houston-Victoria is launching the eighth year of the UHV/American Book Review Reading Series this fall with a mix of authors including the 2013 Poet Laureate of Texas, the three-time winner of the Pushcart Prize and the author of the American Library Association’s 2009 Best Horror Novel.

“These authors represent what ABR is all about – recognizing a wide variety of writers who have various talents to share,” said Jeffrey Di Leo, ABR editor/publisher and dean of the UHV School of Arts & Science. “The reading series has hosted more than 60 writers. We look forward to this new group of authors who will share their works with the UHV and Victoria communities.”

Writers scheduled for the ABR Reading Series this fall are:

Elizabeth Hand, Sept. 5 – Author of almost two dozen books, short story collections and comic books, Hand is best known for her works that examine values and the nature of survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Her literary fiction often addresses similar themes in a realistic setting. She has been honored with accolades including the Philip K. Dick Award, the Nebula Award and the World Fantasy Award.

Rosemary Catacalos, Sept. 19 – Catacalos is the author of two volumes of poetry, “Again for the First Time” and “As Long as It Takes.” Her award-winning works regularly focus on her mixed Mexican and Greek heritage, where she looks to history, culture and mythology in her explorations of human emotions. Her many honors and prizes include the Annual Poetry Award from the Texas Institute of Letters and the 2013 Poet Laureate of Texas.

Brian Evenson, Oct. 17 – Evenson has authored 10 books of short stories, seven novels, a book of nonfiction and five translated volumes. His work often focuses on brutality, violence and hypocrisy, using fiction to critique contemporary values. He has won numerous awards including the O. Henry Award, the American Library Association/Reference and User Services Association Prize for Best Horror Novel and more. He is a professor at Brown University in Providence, R.I.

Christopher Howell, Nov. 7 – Howell has authored 10 volumes of poetry, a collection of essays and is the editor of an anthology. Originally a military journalist during the Vietnam War, he later founded Lynx House Press and is now a professor of creative writing at Eastern Washington University in Cheney. He has won numerous awards including the Washington State Governor’s Award, the Washington State Book Award and three Pushcart Prizes.

Paul Ruffin, Nov. 21 – Best known as a short story author, Ruffin also writes novels and poetry that often focus on the South’s people, landscape and attitudes. He is the author of “Circling,” which won the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters Award, and is a member of the Texas Institute of Letters. He is a Regents Distinguished Professor at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, where he directs the Texas Review Press.

“I am excited about this lineup of authors because they have a wide variety of styles and voices,” said Jeffrey Sartain, ABR managing editor and assistant professor for the UHV School of Arts & Science. “Audiences will get to hear everything from beautiful, lyrical poetry to chilling horror stories.”

The readings begin at noon in the Alcorn Auditorium of UHV University West, 3007 N. Ben Wilson St. The events are free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Light refreshments will be served.

Authors will be available after each reading to sign copies of their books, which can be purchased at the events. During their visit, each author will meet with students and attend private functions.

ABR is a nonprofit, internationally distributed literary journal that is published six times a year. It began in 1977, moved to UHV in 2007 and has a circulation of about 8,000. The journal specializes in reviews of works published by small presses.

For more information about the UHV/ABR Reading Series, call the ABR office at 361-570-4101 or go to www.americanbookreview.org.