A Legacy in Literature
by Alison Bowen, CLA Staff Writer
Poet Susan Campbell reads at the second annual Solstice Poetry Cycle in the Salisbury Theatre, Jan. 30, 2025
For half a century, writers have gathered in Fairbanks. Authors have included myriad well-known names, and their sharing their readings and thoughts about craft creates an invaluable experience for writing students seeing what their own futures may be.
This year, for the first time, the Midnight Sun Visiting Writers Series hosted alumni who were reading their published books.
“This event allows us to celebrate our students, and the work they do after they leave UAF,” said Daryl Farmer, director of the Midnight Sun Visiting Writers Series.
Visiting writers have included Robert Pinsky, Lucille Clifton, Scott Russell Sanders, Mark Doty, Camille Dungy and Terry Tempest Williams.
The Department of English program is an annual series that brings in locally and nationally recognized writers throughout the year for lectures and readings.
The series brings a combination of nationally known, emerging, and local writers to Fairbanks. Writers read their works, participate in craft talks about the writing process, and writing business, and sometimes even meet individually with students.
“The series as a whole greatly enhances the literary community in Fairbanks,” Farmer said.
The name came from a summer writers’ conference in the 1970s, said poet and UAF Professor of English Emeritus John Morgan, who helped create it. “I gave it that name because it was held in June, when we really do have a midnight sun.”
With David Stark, they modeled it on the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, which they had both attended.
In 1991, the conference became the writing series. Even before that, however, Morgan noted that writers who visited included Nikki Giovanni, Barry Lopez and Carlyn Forché. After the name change, that list also included Rita Dove, Lucille Clifton, Molly Peacock, Alberto Rios, Robert Hass and Robert Pinsky.
“The fact that it’s in Alaska is a big attraction to writers from outside,” Morgan said.
Sean Enfield (MFA '21), one of the alumni readers at the inaugural MSVWS alumni reading, performs as Gil Scott-Heron for Dead Writers 2018.
This year marked the inaugural alumni-focused event in the Midnight Sun Visiting Writers Series, featuring readings from distinguished UAF alumni. Sean Enfield presented his essay collection "Holy American Burnout!", which explores Black and biracial identity through personal narrative and cultural critique. Zack Medlin shared excerpts from his poetry collection "Beneath All Water", delving into themes of nature and human experience. H Warren read from "Binded", a novel intertwining elements of magical realism and personal discovery.
The event series began with a book club discussion on February 14, 2025, focusing on Enfield's "Holy American Burnout!", allowing participants to engage deeply with his work. Following the public reading on February 20, the authors conducted a craft talk on February 21, providing insights into their creative processes and storytelling techniques.
“I hope this becomes an annual thing,” Farmer said. “Publishing success for our students often comes after they've left the program.” He added, “I think it also gives our current students a sense of the possibilities for them once they leave.”
The series also includes the Dead Writers series, a fundraiser that originated in 1990 and operates during the Halloween season. Students and faculty deliver readings form their favorite deceased writers – often in costume – including Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman and Yukio Mishima.
The series blends readings by local authors as well as alumni who may not live in the area anymore but return to their old stomping grounds to read in Fairbanks.
The Midnight Sun Visiting Writers Series hosts author Christine Byl for a public reading on October 3rd, 2024.
And the series collaborates with local creatives. For example, acclaimed author Christine Byl joined the series to talk about her novel “Lookout” and her non-fiction book “Dirt Work: An Education in the Woods,” about her time with National Park Service trail crews in Montana and Alaska. Byl also teaches writing for the local group 49 Writers, a community of Alaskan writers.
Students especially can benefit, Farmer said. “The contacts made with UAF MFA students in creative writing can be invaluable.”
The series is intentional about creating a collaborative space that creates community. Each time, the series hosts a book club a week before the public reading, and after the public reading they host a Craft Talk.
In spring 2025, the series included the Solstice Poetry Cycle, featuring readings by more than 30 local poets at UAF’s Salisbury Theatre. Authors included Joy Castro, Brook McClurg and Annie Wenstrup.
All events are free and open to the public.