Mar. 6, 2017
CWU Lion Rock Visiting Writers Series Kicks Off with Novelist Rachel Toor
Central Washington University has compiled an eclectic group of talented writers for this year’s Lion Rock Visiting Writers Series, which is scheduled to kick-off with author and novelist Rachel Toor on Tuesday, October 4.
Toor will give a craft talk titled “What the Heck is Creative Nonfiction?” at noon in Black Hall room 151, followed by a reading from her latest book, “Misunderstood: Why the Humble Rat May be Your Best Pet Ever," at 7:30 p.m. in the CWU SURC ballroom. Both events are free and open to the public. Toor’s books will also be available for sale at the reading.
A creative writing professor at Eastern Washington University, Toor is also an accomplished author. She has written on a wide range of subjects from college admissions to marathon running. Toor’s published works include the novel "On the Road to Find Out," and nonfiction titles “Admission’s Confidential,” “The Pig and I,” “Personal 
Record,”and “Misunderstood: Why the Humble Rat May Be Your Best Pet Ever.”
Toor writes a monthly column in “The Chronicle of Higher Education,” and for many years wrote for “Running Times” magazine. Her work has appeared in notable journals such as “The New York Times,” “The LA Times,” “Glamour,” and “Reader’s Digest.”
Now in its 10th year, the Lion Rock Visiting Writers Series brings nationally-recognized writers to read from their own work and give educational craft talks. Visiting writers serve to teach and inspire budding writers as well as broaden the community’s art offerings.
Locations for all craft talks are held in Black Hall 151; readings in the CWU SURC ballroom, except for Nov. 1 reading to be held in SURC 137 A/B. The complete Lion Rock fall schedule includes:
Oct. 4 - Rachel Toor, creative nonfiction/fiction writer
12P Craft Talk: "What the Heck is Creative Nonfiction?"
7:30P Reading: “Misunderstood: Why the Humble Rat May Be Your Best Pet Ever"
Oct. 18 - Eduardo C. Corral, poet
12P Craft Talk; 7:30P Reading: "The Triggering World: Using the Senses to Generate Language"
Nov. 1 - Marjorie Agosín, poet, essayist, novelist, human rights activist, and literary critic
12P Craft Talk; 7:30P Reading: "Cartographies of Dreams a Poet's Notebook"
This event is sponsored by CWU College of Arts and Humanities, CWU Department of English, Karen Gookin and the Wildcat Shop. Persons of disability may make arrangements for reasonable accommodation by calling 509-963-1745 or emailing DS@cwu.edu.
For more information about the Lion Rock series, visit cwu.edu/english/lion-rock-visiting-writers-series or contact Lisa Norris at 509-963-1745 or Lisa.Norris@cwu.edu.
Media contact: Dawn Alford, public affairs coordinator, 509-963-1484, dawn.alford@cwu.edu.