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SPECTRA Reading Series Closes Out 2024 with Jacob Saenz and Narratives QC on 12/7 SPECTRA Lives! The Quad Cities longest-running reading series returns to Rozz-Tox on Saturday, December 7 for its last event of the year, featuring award-winning poet Jacob Saenz and local writers from Narratives QC.
Saenz, whose book Throwing the Crown, won the 2018 APR/Honickman First Book Prize, will also lead a free community write-in at 6:00 p.m.; there will be short reading, followed by a prompt written by Saenz. Copies of the reading will be available at no cost, and there will be time for participants to write and briefly discuss their work, followed by an open mic.
Then at 8:00 p.m., three writers from Narratives QC will read from their work – Lynn Carsten, Tanner Jordan, and Nathan Wirth – with Poet and Creative Arts Specialist for Narratives QC Chris Britton introducing. A feature reading from Jacob Saenz will close out the evening.
The community write-in starts at 6:00 p.m., open mic at 7:00 p.m. (spaces are limited, 5-minute sets, first come first serve), and the featured readings at 8:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; books by Jacob Saenz and MWC Press will be available for purchase. Donations to MWC are welcome and go to support youth writing programs in the QC.
Please contact Ryan Collins at MWC with questions and media inquiries: [email protected] | 309-732-7330.
Bios:
Jacob Saenz is the author of Throwing the Crown, winner of the APR/Honickman First Book Prize. His poetry has appeared in The Boiler, Memorious, Poetry, RHINO, and other journals. A CantoMundo fellow, he's been the recipient of a Letras Latinas Residency, a Ruth Lilly Poetry Fellowship and a Latinx Scholarship from the Frost Place. He currently serves as a Poetry Editorial Board Member for Haymarket Books.
Lynn Carsten is a passionate beginner poet whose love for writing began the moment she could hold a pen. From early childhood, she found solace and expression in the written word, using poetry to explore the world around her. As she honed her craft, Lynn developed a unique voice, particularly in her lyrics, which captivate her audience and inspire a deep emotional connection. Her work often resonates with themes of resilience, self-discovery, and hope, leaving readers and listeners eager for more. Despite being new to the poetry scene, Lynn’s raw talent and dedication promise a bright future in the world of creative writing.
Tanner Jordan, aka AyeTJ, is a spoken word artist and musician known for blending jazz, hip-hop, and gospel influences into a unique style that resonates with depth and authenticity. From his Denver roots to his current work in Rock Island, AyeTJ shares his journey of faith, struggles, and growth, challenging audiences to reflect and connect. Whether through spoken word or music, he crafts honest, relatable pieces that inspire listeners to find purpose in their own stories.
Nathan Wirth is a 22 year old aspiring writer and poet residing in the Quad Cities. Writing became his calling and true passion in life since his days in high school, and he hopes to inspire those around him with his creative works. In his spare time he enjoys writing, catching up on his backlog of books, drawing digital artwork and listening to his record collection.
The SPECTRA Reading Series is supported by the Arts Midwest GIG Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Illinois Arts Council.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Rozz-Tox, 2108 3rd Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201-8805, United States,Rock Island, Illinois
