English Readings and Events

We invite you to attend readings and events hosted by the Department of English Language and Literature each semester. If you would like to receive reminders and updates on readings and other creative writing events, please subscribe to our listserv by sending an email with "subscribe cwrite" in the body of the message.

Faculty Reading Series

Join us for readings by CMU English department faculty members each semester.

Meijer Visiting Writers Series

Founded through a gift from the Meijer Foundation, the Meijer Visiting Writers Series hosts readings each semester. You can view videos of past readings on our Creative Writing Facebook page.

Annual Leaves of Grass marathon reading

Each fall, we invite the community to join us from sunrise through the afternoon in the Fabiano Botanical Garden next to Park Library for our annual marathon reading of Walt Whitman's classic Leaves of Grass. All are welcome to take turns reading or just listen and enjoy hearing others read.

Wellspring Literary Series

Founded and facilitated by Robert Fanning, CMU Professor of Creative Writing; since 2009 the Wellspring Literary Series has provided a forum for the Mt. Pleasant and Central Michigan University community to hear the work of established and emerging regional writers. The Wellspring Literary Series has become a destination venue for Michigan writers and poets from around the state to share their work here in Mount Pleasant with a large, receptive audience. In addition to providing a space to hear some of Michigan's best writers, the series also provides opportunities for CMU writing students to read their works-in-progress in public alongside these prominent authors. The Wellspring Literary Series also features music performed by students and faculty members from the CMU School of Music, as well as local Musicians. All readings are free and open to the public and take place at the Art Reach of Mid Michigan, located at 111 E. Broadway in downtown Mt. Pleasant. Readings are generally held on the first or second Monday of every month, except in the case of holidays or scheduling conflicts. Refreshments are served, courtesy of Max and Emily's Eatery. For the latest updates, further details, or inquiries, email Robert Fanning or visit the Wellspring Literary Series website.