Author to appear today

Literary enthusiasts will have not one, but two opportunities to see a world-renowned writer today and tomorrow.

Poet, essayist and short-story writer Tess Gallagher will give a reading of her poetry and prose at 8 p.m. today in the HUB Fishbowl, and again at 3 p.m. tomorrow at Svoboda's Books, 227 W. Beaver Ave.

Gallagher is the author of seven books of poetry, two books of fiction and a book of essays, which are just a few accomplishments of the writer's extensive repertoire. She has won numerous awards such as a Guggenheim Fellowship and two Washington State Governor's Awards for Poetry. Gallagher is serving as poet-in-residence at Bucknell University during the Spring Semester.

The reading at the University is sponsored by the Master of Fine Arts program and the University's English department. This is her second reading at the University, having come first in 1992 to do a dual reading with acclaimed Romanian poet Liliana Ursu.

Gallagher was asked to speak again due to her international acclaim, said Gigi Marino, assistant director of the MFA program.

Gallagher will be reading several of her poems and short stories from her newest book, At The Owl Woman Saloon.

Sharon Helms, and employee of Svoboda's Books, praised Gallagher's writing.

"Her work is beautifully lucid and has good imagery," she said.

Gallagher's work is all-encompassing, covering such diverse subjects as kissing, living in the U.S. Northwest and the death of her husband, said short story author Raymond Carver.

While most readings are arranged through an invitation from bookstores to authors, the idea for Gallagher to read at Svoboda's Books was the author's own. This reading was actually scheduled before the reading at the University was planned.