The Creative Writing Vision Program provided excellent programming as winter gave way to spring on the Thomas More College campus. The program brought both TMC and regional authors into the spotlight beginning on Friday, Jan. 29 with TMC Writer-in-Residence Dick Hague and author/musician Michael Henson performing the long poem “Where Drunk Men Go” in the TMC Theatre.

The next event brought alumni and current student authors to Joseph Beth Booksellers in Crestview Hills, Ky., on Monday, Feb. 8, to share from their books and discuss the power of writing to promote positive social change. Authors included Melanie Anderson (Spectrality in the Novels of Toni Morrison), Katie Trauth Taylor (Innovating the Veteran Patient Experience: VA’s Lean Healthcare Transformation), Sam Smith (Trapped in the Corner of a Round Room and Betting Against Death), and Zai Johns (The Murder at Thompson Manor).

February 21 marked the 24^th Anniversary of the Caden Blincoe Outloud Festival on the TMC campus with over 80 people in attendance. The audience reflected a mix of authors, alumni, students, faculty, staff and community members, many of them returning in the spirit of a literary reunion. Featured authors included Pauletta Hansel, Dick Hague, and Jeremy Paden. Tellico Family Band (Nan and Jim Cook, Sherry Cook Stanforth, and children) appeared and played music in the Appalachian tradition. Caden Blincoe would have been proud to see how his inspiration has continued through so many years as this gathering reflects the great pride that the community holds for regional literature.

Bottom Dog Press authors made an appearance on March 1 at Joseph Beth Booksellers. Sherry Cook Stanforth (Dronestring), Dick Hague (Learning How, Stories, Yarns And Tales), and Michael Henson (A Small Room with Trouble on My Mind and Other Stories) gathered to read, reflect, and sign their newest books.

For more information about the Thomas More College Creative Writing Vision program, call 859-341-5800 or visit THOMASMORE.EDU