The 2015 WNIJ Winter Book Series, which begins Monday, Feb. 2, features authors from throughout northern Illinois.
At 6:50 and 8:50 a.m. each Monday in February, Dan Klefstad speaks with an author about his or her book as well as his or her motivation and inspirations and invites the authors to read selections of their published pieces.
- Feb. 2: Ron Modell talks about his memoir, “Ron Modell: Loved Bein’ Here with You.” In addition to being a world-class trumpeter and educator, Modell is the founder of the NIU Jazz Ensemble and has been active in jazz, symphony and pop music scenes for decades working with some of the best-known names in music.
- Feb. 9: Katie Andraski joins the 2015 WNIJ Winter Book Series to speak about her work, “The River Caught Sunlight.” Andraski is a NIU English instructor. Her work draws upon past professional experience as she crafts the story of a devoutly Christian woman who re-examines her faith while working in the Christian publishing industry in the 1980s.
- Feb. 16: Rockford poet and performance artist Jesus Correa discusses his book of poetry and art, “Iced Cream.” In addition to writing poetry and creating visual art, Correa has run for mayor, performed stand-up comedy and wrestled. Thomas L. Vaultonburg of Zombie Press, the publisher of “Iced Cream,” calls the collection “excruciatingly personal.” This work does address mature subject matter and is intended for a mature audience.
- Feb. 23: Chicago writer Charles Blackstone will discuss his novel, “Vintage Attraction.” This fictional story is about a University of Illinois-Chicago English instructor who falls in love with a television sommelier.
For more information, call (815) 753-9000 or email npr@niu.edu.
