Writers' Roundtable

A monthly show hosted by Professor Ron Block, Rowan University College of Communication, on the 4th Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m.

Episodes

Writers' Roundtable
(Apr 22, 2013)

Steve Almond, author of nonfiction and short stories including Candyfreak : A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America and God Bless America: Stories. Almond discussed his life-long devotion to candy and what drove him to devote an entire work of nonfiction to it. He also talked about the differences in self-publishing versus a publishing company putting out his work. For more information, visit http://stevealmondjoy.com/.

Writer's Roundtable
(Mar 25, 2013)

Poet and Rowan alum Joan Hanna joined host Ron Block to discuss and share readings from her new collection of poems, "Threads." Hanna talked about the personal situations that inspired many of her poems and how she keeps her writing so candid.

Writer's Roundtable
(Feb 25, 2013)

Host and Rowan University professor Ron Block spoke with Ed Briant, illustrator, musician and author of the new young-adult novel I Am Not The Walrus. Briant, who grew up in the UK, explained why he set the novel in a town much like the one he grew up in and music's influences in the story. Later, Briant explained what took him from illustration to writing novels. Finally, he shared upcoming projects from a picture book with his wife to a graphic novel.

Writers' Roundtable
(Jan 28, 2013)

Rowan University Creative Writing Professor Ron Block spoke with the student writers and and editors for Avant Magazine, Rowan's student-run literary magazine. Alex Grover, editor-in-chief, Lauren Wainwright, editor, and Gabby Ostipovich, editorial board member shared their experiences with the magazine and read their own pieces. They spoke about various influences and preferred genres that they enjoy.

Writers' Roundtable
(Oct 22, 2012)

In a special Halloween edition of Writers' Roundtable, Rowan University Writing Arts professor Ron Block spoke to Andrew McDougall, who spent ten years working as an interpretive park ranger at the Edgar Allan Poe National Historical Site, the last remaining Poe residence from the time Poe lived in Philadelphia (1838-1844). This was Poes most productive period, during which he wrote many of his most famous works, including The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Black Cat."

Writer's Roundtable
(Sep 24, 2012)

Host and Rowan University professor, Ron Block spoke with Martin Fairwell, director of the Dodge Poetry Festival, the biggest poetry festival in the country, held in Newark, NJ from October 11th-October 14th. Fairwell outlined different features and programs offered over the four-day festival as well as different poets that will be attending. He also went over what goes into planning the next festival, which happens every even numbered year.

Writer's Roundtable
(Aug 27, 2012)

Host Ron Block spoke with Greg Kosmicki, a poet and social worker from Omaha, Nebraska. Kosmicki founded The Backwaters Press in 1997 and shared the history of the Press. Later, Kosmincki spoke about notable authors he's published in The Backwaters Press. In addition, Kosmicki mentioned the privilege of publishing some of his former teacher's work.

Writer's Roundtable
(Mar 26, 2012)

Host Ron Block discussed the projects of Avant, a student-published literary magazine at Rowan University, with Kara Rothenberg, editor in chief, Alex Grover, treasurer, and Lauren Wills, staff member. Each student read their own work that was published in the most recent edition of the magazine. In addition, Rothenberg explained how the submission process works. Finally, work from other students was read and discussed.

Writer's Roundtable
(Feb 27, 2012)

Host Ron Block sat down with Scott McCloud, a comic book writer and the speaker at the College of Communication's Presidential Lecture series. McCloud explained how he got into comics and the transition from superhero comics to other genres in comics. In addition, McCloud described the cultural differences in comics. He described comics as an art form. For more information and to purchase McCloud's books, log onto www.scottmccloud.com.

Writers' Roundtable
(Jan 23, 2012)

Author and Rowan University Professor Lisa Jahn-Clough joined host Ron Block to discuss her children's books and young adult novels. Jahn-Clough explained how she began creating short picture books following college to eventually making it into a career. She also mentioned that all of her children's books are autobiographical. Later, she described her writing process in terms of her young adult novels. For more information, you can head over to http://www.lisajahnclough.com/

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