Banned books reading among Friday is Writing Day events to take place this fall

A banned books reading and celebration of free speech will take place at Morningside College at noon Friday, Oct. 2, in the Spoonholder Café of the Hickman Johnson Furrow Learning Center, 1601 Morningside Ave. The free event is part of Morningside’s Friday is Writing Day series and is open to the public.

Friday is Writing Day (FIWD) meets most Fridays throughout the fall semester from 12 p.m. – 12:50 p.m. The program, which has been in existence for over 20 years, is designed to feature writers and their works, from journals to published pieces.

Writers of all types from the campus and community read their work, followed by informal discussions of the writings. The sessions are free and open to the public. Participants are invited to bring a brown bag lunch or purchase lunch in the college cafeteria.

Additional presentations for upcoming FIWD events include:

Sept. 25: May Term Travel Journals. Classes that traveled to Los Angeles, Calif., or Cozumel, Mexico, will share their writing and photos. Noon, Roadman Formal Lounge, 3600 Peters Ave.

Oct. 9: Artist-in-Residence. Playwright Lavonne Mueller will talk about her writing and life experiences, including her work with Mother Teresa. 11:45 a.m., Roadman Formal Lounge.

Oct 16: Writing Children’s Books. Former faculty member Jeanette Hopkins speaks about the children’s book publication process and reads from her new children’s book “The LadyBug Waltz.” Noon, Hickman Dining Room in the Olsen Student Center, 3609 Peters Avenue.

Oct. 23: Performing Writing - Meet Hollywood Actor and Comedian Craig Anton. Anton is a Nebraska native who stars in the Disney series “Phil of the Future” and has appeared on such shows as “Boston Legal,” “The Office” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Noon, Yockey Family Community Room in the Olsen Student Center.

Oct. 30: Celebrate Halloween! There will be Halloween readings and treats. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Noon, Hickman Dining Room.

Nov. 6: China Connection Renewed. A faculty member and students will share blog and journal entries about their summer experience teaching at Morningside’s sister institution, Hwa Nan Women’s University in Fuzhou, China. Noon, Yockey Family Community Room.

Nov. 20: Student Poetry and Fiction. Poetry and fiction students read their work. Noon, Hickman Dining Room.

Dec. 4: Writing about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Literature, History and Culture. Seminar students share from their research projects. Noon, Hickman Dining Room.