Poet Ron Smith headlines literary festival

A celebration of the written word will take place at John Tyler Community College through Mar. 6 during the 13th Annual Literary Festival. This year's festival will feature poet Ron Smith. Smith is the author of "Running Again in Hollywood Cemetery," which was runner-up in the National Poetry Series Open Competition and in the Samuel French Morse Prize, and "Moon Road: Poems 1986-2005," which has been praised by Pulitzer-winner Claudia Emerson, Pulitzerfinalist David Wojahn, the Italian scholar and translator Massimo Bacigalupo, and the world-famous journalist and novelist Tom Wolfe.

Smith will hold readings and student workshops on both campuses. All events are free and open to the community. Refreshments will be served. The schedule is as follows:

Wed., Mar. 5

Student Readings, noon-12:50 p.m., Midlothian campus, Room A115

Reading by Ron Smith, noon-1 p.m., Chester campus, Room B124

Student Writing Workshop led by Ron Smith, 1-3 p.m., Chester campus, Room M229

Thurs., Mar. 6

Student Speech Contest, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Chester campus, Room B124

For more information on the festival, contact Sandra Via at svia@jtcc.edu or 594-1486.