News

The Literary Alliance presents a reading from Portland State University Writer-in-Residence Craig Lesley, to celebrate his new book, Burning Fence: A Western Memoir of Fatherhood (St. Martin's Press, 2005, 368 pages, $33.95), on Thursday, November 3, 2005, at 7:30 p.m.

Burning Fence is a memoir set in rural Northwest communities including Madras, Baker City, Pendleton and Portland and tells the story of two different fathers, an alcohol-damaged Indian foster child, and the panorama of the 20th-century American West. The book follows Lesley's life in a tale of betrayal, abandonment and redemption, capturing the rural humor of its rugged characters.

The reading will take place in the Smith Memorial Student Union (1825 S.W. Broadway, Room 238), and is free and open to the public. Donations to the Literary Alliance will be accepted at the door. For a media kit or digital photograph of Craig Lesley please contact Angela Abel at 503-725-8763 or at adabel@pdx.edu.

Craig Lesley is the author of Storm Riders, Winterkill, River Song and The Sky Fisherman, which earned him a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize. Lesley has received three Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Awards, the Western Writers of American Gold Spur Award for Best Novel and an Oregon Book Award. He currently is the writer-in-residence at Portland State University where he also teaches fiction writing.

Copies of Burning Fence and Lesley's other books will be available for purchase and signing at the reading. The Literary Alliance is a collaboration between four existing Portland State University organizations: the English department, Friends of English, Literary Arts Council and the Center for Excellence in Writing, which are all dedicated to promoting Portland State University as the literary destination in Portland, Ore.
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For Immediate Release (#05-138)

Source:Peggy Savage (503-725-3521)
PSU Literary Alliance