Naropa University Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics Co-Sponsors Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference

BOULDER, Colo. (March 5, 2010)—Naropa University’s legendary Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics is a co-sponsor of the 2010 Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) conference that will be held from April 7–10, 2010, in Denver, CO. The AWP conference is one the biggest literary conventions in North America, attracting nearly 8,000 people and hundreds of publishers for four days of seminars, presentations and readings.

“AWP will provide Kerouac School faculty, students and alumni an international stage to share their writing and contribute to conversations about emerging trends in our discipline, curricular and program development, the publishing industry and more through discussions, readings, lectures and book signings,” says Amy Catanzano, the administrative director of the Department of Writing and Poetics and a Kerouac School lecturer. “AWP also presents important opportunities for career resources and student recruitment.”

Founded in 1974 by Allen Ginsberg and Anne Waldman, the Kerouac School is distinct among academic writing programs for its community of writers who trace their genesis and inspiration from a wide range of aesthetic and social movements such as postmodernism, the l-a-n-g-u-a-g-e school of poetry, Buddhist and contemplative teachings, the Beat movement, the Black Arts movement, and the New York schools of poetry.

One tradition that is emphasized is the Outrider lineage—a heritage of counter-poetics operating outside the academic mainstream. Today, the Kerouac School’s attention toward interdisciplinary, cross-genre and cross-cultural writing continues to encourage scholarly and creative experimentation. Not only are our writers asking how disciplines such as ecology, physics, philosophy and visual art relate to poetry, prose and translation, many investigate the craft of writing across literary forms, international conversations and diverse cultures. Naropa University champions the building and strengthening of community, and the Kerouac School is known and celebrated for its ongoing dialogue among writers, teachers and students.

In addition to teaching, the Kerouac School’s faculty members are active in the publishing world. Anne Waldman, author of more than forty books of poetry, recently published Manatee/Humanity with the Penguin Poets series. Bhanu Kapil’s Humanimal, Keith Abbott’s Downstream from Trout Fishing in America: a Memoir of Richard Brautigan, and Amy Catanzano’s Multiversal were also published in 2009. Kerouac School alumni regularly publish books as well: John Sakkis’ translations of Demosthenes Agrafiotis’ Maribor, and Tim Z. Hernandez’s Breathing, In Dust, are just a few recent publications by graduates of the MFA and BA programs. Bombay Gin, the Kerouac School’s literary magazine, just released their 36th issue. All of this is evidence of a talented community of writers dedicated to advancing their craft.

From April 8–10, Naropa University is proud to present more than a dozen talks and performances by some its most distinguished faculty including:

Reading: Anne Waldman and Gary Snyder
Four Seasons Ballroom, Colorado Convention Center, Lover Level
Friday, April 9, 8:30 p.m.
AWP conference event, registration required

Ecopoetic scholars and political activists Gary Snyder and Anne Waldman gather for a reading at the AWP conference. This event is sponsored by the University of Denver. An AWP registration pass is required.

Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics Reading
The Mercury Café, 2199 California Street
Denver, CO 80205
Saturday April 10, 7:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public

Former and current Kerouac School faculty will read their work. This event, sponsored by Naropa University, is free and open to the public.

For a full schedule of Naropa events, visit: http://www.naropa.edu/academics/graduate/writingpoetics/mfa/awp.cfm

For more information about the conference, visit http://www.awpwriter.org/.

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Naropa University is a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian liberal arts institution dedicated to advancing contemplative education. This approach to learning integrates the best of Eastern and Western educational traditions, helping students know themselves more deeply and engage constructively with others. The university comprises a four-year undergraduate college and graduate programs in the arts, education, environmental leadership, psychology and religious studies.
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