Topic: Literature

The Clarksville Writer’s Conference: exploring writers and their work

By Debbie Boen | July 19, 2008 |

Writer Debbie Boen offers Clarksville Online readers a view of the participating authors in the recent Clarksville Writers Conference at APSU. Each author discusses the work, the ideas and influences of their writing, and suggestions for aspiring writers.

Barry Kitterman: Editor, playwright, professor of literature and author of The Baker’s Boy

Always exposing Clarksville to creative writing through his classes at APSU and the visiting writers series is Barry Kitterman. He told us the background of and read a passage in his book, The Baker’s Boy. It is a story set in Belize where we explore the world of a school teacher Tanner Johnson, who is in the Peace Corp. Taking the first steps into the school Tanner saw two boys fighting and it wasn’t even breakfast yet. He sees a boy disciplined by being beaten with a rope. The 15 boys in his class are wild birds suddenly in a cage when they are indoors. Out doors they re-energized as if fingers were in sockets. Tanner is a man who is painfully aware of his personal limitations and who, in present time, is incapable of being very responsible because of the doubt in himself. This is his story of how the past follows him.

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4th Annual Clarksville Writers’ Conference schedule announced

June 2, 2008 |

The Arts & Heritage Development Council of Clarksville, TN, is holding its 4th Annual Clarksville Writers’ Conference July 10-12 at the Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University.

Writers and readers are encouraged to attend this three-day event which addresses a wide variety of literature, including historical fiction, journalism, poetry, biography, short stories, storytelling, writing for young adults and children, fiction and nonfiction.

Conference holders are honored to have as this year’s keynote speaker John Seigenthaler, Sr. (at left), renowned journalist, editor, publisher, political figure and current host of WNPT’s book-review program “Word on Words.”The conference banquet, held on the evening of July 11 at the Clarksville Country Club, will feature Seigenthaler and include a “Meet the Authors” reception and book signing. «Read the rest of this article»

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‘Holy Scriptures as Justification for War’ author to present book

By Debbie Boen | April 13, 2008 |

Dr. Bert Randall will present his book, Holy Scriptures as Justification for War on Tuesday, April 15 at 2 pm in APSU’s Woodward Library (third floor). Interested parties will have a chance to order the book for almost 50% of the retail price. The cover art work by APSU senior art student Kim Balevre shows the dove still flying although it has several swords in it.

Holy Scriptures as Justification for War focuses a lens on the relation between Holy Books (Scriptures) and war. Throughout their histories, Jews, Christians and Muslims have used their Holy Books to justify external violence against the “enemies of God” and internal purges to purify the faith from heresy. This study explores the beliefs in literalism and inerrancy that are the interpretative principles necessary for such justifications. Randall begins with ten representative passages from the TANAKH, New Testament, and Qur’an that are used to justify divine violence and critiques their misuse by literalists. He goes on to explore the origins and histories of these great scriptures,examining the factual and logical flaws in literalism and inerrancy that result in perverting scripture to justify Divine violence. «Read the rest of this article»

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Barry Kitterman’s “The Baker’s Boy” arrives on bookstore shelves in May

By Debbie Boen | February 3, 2008 |

With the publication of his novel The Baker’s Boy coming in May, APSU Professor Barry Kitterman (at left) has brought a ten-year effort to a satisfying conclusion. Kitterman has worked as an editor for many years, and has watched as a number of his friends enjoy publication of their work.

“This is my first book. This is better,” he says with understandable satisfaction. He says that words like “dream book” and “inspiration” don’t work for him. “I just work hard at my writing.”

Set in Central America and in Middle Tennessee, The Baker’s Boy gives us two intertwined stories: In the first, Tanner Johnson, nearing midlife, has left his pregnant wife and taken a job as a baker, working nights, trying to avoid a shadowy presence that haunts him from the past. In the second, Tanner relives his painful experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in Belize, where he taught at a boys’ reform school nearly a quarter century ago. Haunted by the past, he struggles to find the courage to accept his role as a husband and prospective father.

Years ago, Kitterman worked as a Peace Corps volunteer and teacher in Belize in Central America. He has also taught in China and Taiwan. «Read the rest of this article»

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