Bestselling author Alice Sebold to visit as writer-in-residence Nov. 16-17

Renowned author Alice Sebold is scheduled to visit Merrimack College's Writers House as its writer-in-residence Monday and Tuesday. Sebold authored the novels “The Lovely Bones” and “The Almost Moon” as well as her memoir “Lucky.” All three topped the New York Times bestseller list.

As writer-in-residence, Sebold will meet with students for classes and workshops, as well as give a reading in the Writers House Monday Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. The reading is open to the public free-of-charge.

Sebold’s books address significant issues such as rape, murder, and the dissolution of families.

“Sebold is a master of telling, refusing to hedge or sugarcoat or cover up,” said Writers House Director Andrea Cohen. “Her novels and nonfiction give us humor, pathos, nuance, ambivalence, wisdom, compassion and outrage––all it takes to be human in a world both violent and beautiful.”

The New York Times review of “The Lovely Bones” said Sebold “deals with almost unthinkable subjects with humor and intelligence and a kind of mysterious grace.”

Publishers Weekly described “Lucky” as  “fiercely observed memoir about how an incident of profound violence can change the course of one’s life … Sebold’s wit is as powerful as her searing candor.”

Sebold has contributed to several anthologies and edited “The Best American Short Stories 2009” during her career. She selected and edited the first four published books for Tonga Books, which specializes in works of literary fiction by American authors.

This Writer-in-Residence program is funded through the Andrea ’79 and Ken Robertson Writers House Innovation Fund. The program gives students the opportunity to have meaningful dialogue with some of the best writers working today.

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