LAURINBURG– At 8 p.m. on Thursday the lights will shine in Orange Main Lounge on the campus of St. Andrews Presbyterian College as the 42nd year of the Writers’ Forum begins.

The 13 sessions for the fall, each free and open to the public, begin with a reading by Scotland County resident Gilbert Abraham and an open microphone event, where campus and community writers are asked to step up and share their work.

“It’s the only forum we know of in the nation that meets weekly during the academic year,” said Ron Bayes, co-advisor of the Forum with Dr. Edna Ann O. Loftus. “Our Writers’ Forum is both nationally and internationally known.”

The Wilmington contingent of David Capps, Jean Jones, and Scott Urban will be featured during the second reading on Sept. 10.

Featured speakers this semester include Lois Siegel, Margaret Boothe Baddour, and Gib Ruark. A special reading on Oct. 1 will honor a trio of St. Andrews alumni who have been named as recipients of the Ethel N. Fortner Writer and Community Award – Martin Brossman, Nancy Henry and John Lawson.

An additional highlight for the community will be the Oct. 20 reading by Ron Rash as part of the One Book, One Community program. Rash’s book Serena was the summer reading for incoming students at St. Andrews to create a common learning experience even before the students arrived on campus.

“We enjoy the opportunity to hear from these amazing artists and learn more about our craft,” said Caitlin Johnson, St. Andrews Press Manager and winner of the 2008 Allen Bunn Memorial Chapbook Award at the College.

A veritable who’s who from the writing and poetry ranks have read at the Writers’ Forum including Tom Wolfe, Doris Betts, Sam Ragan and Tom Wicker.

Free and open to the public, Writers’ Forums begin at 8 p.m. in Orange Main Lounge on the campus of St. Andrews Presbyterian College.

For more information, contact St. Andrews at 277-5310.

Fall 2009 Writers’ Forum Schedule

Sept. 3 Welcome Back Open Mic

Sept. 10 David Capps, Jean Jones, and Scott Urban

Sept. 17 Open Mic

Sept. 24 Lois Siegel

Oct. 1 Fortner Award recipients

Oct. 8 Open Mic

Oct. 15 Margaret Boothe Baddour

Oct. 22 Ron Rash, author of this year’s One Book, One Community selection

Oct. 29 Andy Reynolds, poet

Nov. 5 Bobby G. Price, poet

Nov. 12 Open Mic

Nov. 19 Gib Ruark, poet

Nov. 26 Thanksgiving break

Dec. 3 Farewell Open Mic