Cásares Presents at TAMIU Writers Series May 5

Acclaimed short story writer Oscar Cásares will be featured during the Monday, May 5 installment of the "Voices in the Monte" Writers Series, presented by Texas A&M International University's Writing Center.

Cásares, a Brownsville native, will appear from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the University Student Center in front of the Barnes and Noble College Bookstore. Cásares will talk to students and the public about his work as a writer, read from his new book, and answer questions. He will sign his book, available for sale from the Bookstore, from noon until 12:30 p.m.

Cásares' short-story collection, "Brownsville," (Little, Brown and Company, 2003) prompted Texas Monthly's Cecilia Ballí to call him "Texas' most intriguing young storyteller." In the March 2003 Texas Monthly edition she notes that his "tales of his native Brownsville describe a place where Latinos have moved from the margins to the mainstream."

Randy Koch, Writing Center director, said the University and its students are fortunate to have a writer of Cásares' caliber speak with them about the craft of writing.

"Here's a tremendously gifted and much-admired new voice on the literary horizon whose first book has generated remarkable acclaim by critics everywhere. Our students and the community at large will enjoy this rare opportunity," Koch said.

The Voices in the Monte Writers Series provides an opportunity for students and the public to visit with local, regional and national writers who share their personal vision of writing and finding their voice. It is hoped the Series will encourage a rich interaction among people from the University, the city, and the surrounding area with visiting writers.

The Series is made possible by funding provided by TAMIU and a Title V Grant.

Previous visiting writers include Jesse G. Herrera, Tammy Gómez and Raquel Valle-Sentíes.

In September, 2002 National Book Award nominee, poet and children's story writer Naomi Shihab Nye of San Antonio will be the first of two writers visiting the University in the fall.

For additional information, contact Koch by calling 326.2885, visit Killam Library 218 or e-mail rkoch@tamiu.edu.

Writing Center hours for the Spring semester are from 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Fridays. The Center is closed on Saturdays but open on Sundays from 2-6 p.m.