The Dillon Johnston Writers Reading Series

The Dillon Johnston Writers Reading Series, named after the founder of the Wake Forest University Press, brings to campus several important fiction writers and poets each year to give readings, which are open to students and faculty, as well as to the general public, and have become popular events in the university’s calendar.  The readings are usually followed by a book signing and a reception, giving everyone a chance to mingle with the visiting writer.  Readings are often co-ordinated in conjuction with such bodies as the North Carolina Humanities Council or Winston-Salem Forsyth County Libraries.

Recent visiting fiction writers include Stuart Dybek, Julianna Baggott, Simon Armitage, Dan Chaon, Heather McHugh, Reginald McKnight, Owen King, Kelly Braffet, Wilton Barnhardt, Martin Clark, and Quinn Dalton.

Recent poetry readings have been given by CK Williams, Maya Angelou, Carl Phillips, Simon Armitage, Harriet Mullan, Adam Zagajewski, Natasha Trethewey and WS Merwin among many others.