BIG RAPIDS – Marc J. Sheehan, author of a recently published book of poems, Vengeful
Hymns, will read from his work at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the Founders’ Room
(room 238) of the Rankin Student Center at Ferris State University. Sheehan, who is
communications officer at Ferris, is also co-author of the university’s commemorative
book, Ferris State University: The First 125 Years.
A life-long Michigan resident, Sheehan studied creative writing at Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University and the University of Michigan. He has been awarded grants for his work from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.
Many of the poems in Vengeful Hymns, which won Ashland University’s Richard Snyder Prize, are set in the region. Even the titles of many of his poems, such as “Detour Outside Walhalla, Michigan” and “Field Guide to the Native Emotions of Michigan,” draw upon his experience as a life-long resident of the state.
For several years Sheehan was a staff writer for the Lansing Capital Times, where he published book reviews as well as interviews with authors including Pulitzer Prize-winners Richard Ford and Jane Smiley.
In addition to the evening reading, Sheehan will take part in a book party and signing at 3 p.m. also on Nov. 3 at Great Lakes Books and Supply, 840 Clark St. in Big Rapids.
Sheehan’s reading is part of the Literature in Person Series’ “Fall into Books 2009,” which is sponsored by Ferris’ department of English, Literature, and World Languages, with support from the department’s Faculty Development Committee, Great Lakes Book and Supply, and many generous individuals. All LIP events are free and open to the public.