Cynthia Robinson and Chuck Klosterman (Photo credit Cynthia Robinson)

One of the most exciting things about being in Columbia College’s MFA program in nonfiction is that each semester the Department of Creative Writing hosts a poetry and nonfiction reading series in which professionally published poets and nonfiction writers are invited to hold readings on our campus. Often, the visiting authors will hold Q&A sessions with MFA students in an intimate setting, allowing students to ask in depth questions about the writer’s work and practice as well as any craft or publishing related questions.

Past visiting authors have included Carmen Giménez Smith, Chris Offutt, Charles D’Ambrosio, Bernard Cooper, D.J. Waldie, Molly Haskell, Mary Ruefle, Dinty Moore, Amy Leach, Kate Zambreno, Janet Burroway, and Jay Ponteri.

This past week we were lucky to have Chuck Klosterman (author of Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs; Eating the Dinosaur; I Wear the Black Hat, and others) on campus, who read from his 2005 nonfiction book, Killing Yourself to Live. Unconventionally, he opened his reading by warning us that he hadn’t read the piece he was reading since around the time of the book’s publication, so it might get a little weird. We quickly learned that weird is good. Throughout his reading he also sprinkled in tidbits of advice, such as how to choose a piece for a reading (first person narrative, kinda humorous) and the value of including popular culture references in writing, even if it can become dated (provides realistic texture of the time).

Chuck Klosterman Reading

Klosterman was by far the funniest reader I have ever had the pleasure to be in the audience for. Completely animated throughout the entire event, he often interrupted himself to offer an aside, comment on the story, or even criticize his own word choice of calling a woman a “chick” in the work he read from, acknowledging he wrote it over ten years ago—things had changed. He didn’t just read from his work, but truly offered a performance, looking right at the audience, often gesturing broadly; it seemed like he read from memory more than the page. Despite the subtitle that indicates the essays in the collection are “85% of a true story” Klosterman’s reading gave the impression that he was merely pulling memories from a drawer and playing them out for us through the reading of his work.

Following his reading, Nonfiction faculty Sam Weller led a conversation with Klosterman, asking questions about his books, the publishing world, and his career. These faculty-led conversations or the intimate Q&As are one of my favorite parts of visiting author events. I love being able to speak with authors who have been around the writing/publishing block. We are so lucky to have the opportunity to ask authors questions about work that I have loved for years (or just recently discovered, in some cases!)  Klosterman was extremely generous in providing blunt, insider advice, as well as taking the time to answer a number of student questions following the meditated conversation with Sam Weller.

Waiting for the Morning Train

Following the Q&A, Klosterman signed books, and it was no surprise that the line for signing stretched across the entire event room. Some of my nonfiction MFA classmates had the great opportunity to have their books signed and he was gracious enough to take a photo with them as well.

The next Nonfiction Reading events are Lisa Samuels (November 18) and Charles D’Ambrosio (December 4). Check out the Department of Creative Writing events calender for more details!