The People’s Recorder: A Virtual Discussion about the Federal Writers’ Project in Nebraska (Read More)
The People’s Recorder podcast launched to acclaim in 2024 and won a Silver Signal Award for History Podcasting and was nominated for an Ambie Award for Best Indie Podcast. This virtual event will build on the discussion started in the Nebraska-based episode, “A Creative Incubator,” further exploring the work and the literary and cultural legacy of the Writers’ Project in Nebraska. Moderated by The People’s Recorder host Chris Haley, the panel discussion will feature writer/co-producer David Taylor, Marilyn Holt (author of Nebraska during the New Deal) and Stephen Cloyd, who recently retired from the Lincoln City Libraries. The event will also feature University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor Timothy Schaffert, who will discuss the Prairie Schooner’s Centennial, and Lincoln City Libraries’ Deb Arenz, who will speak about the collections at the Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors. Watch live on The People’s Recorder YouTube Channel. Part of the WPA, the Federal Writers’ Project provided work for unemployed writers, editors, and other white-collar workers during the height of the Great Depression. The Writers’ Project had a mandate to produce state and city travel guides, and interview everyday citizens. It was perhaps the largest and most chaotic publishing venture in American history, and yet it produced over 200 publications, and its flagship travel guide series remains important for its firsthand views of life in America. The Nebraska guide was a notable success and state bestseller. This moderated discussion with a panel of experts will focus on that guidebook and the work of the staff of the Nebraska Writers’ Project and how that speaks to Nebraskans today. It will focus on the varied experiences of three Nebraskans: Rudolph Umland, a hardscrabble farmer turned editor, Weldon Kees, a hardware businessman’s son turned poet, and Ruby Wilson, a former nurse who found a passion in first-person history. The event will also shine a spotlight on University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor and founder of Prairie Schooner, Lowry Wimberly, whose influence was critical to the Project’s success. This event is being produced in partnership with Lincoln City Libraries and Prairie Schooner with support from Humanities Nebraska.
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First Friday Book Talk & Reading w Timothy Schaffert (Read More)
This monthly online (Zoom) reading series called First Friday Readings features authors with Nebraska connections, national presence, and a newly published book. The hourlong event, moderated by Larksong director Karen Shoemaker, will include both the author’s reading and Q&A with the audience. The event is free, but registration is required to receive the link. Timothy Schaffert is the author of six novels, most recently THE PERFUME THIEF (Doubleday; August, 2021). His other books include: THE SWAN GONDOLA (Riverhead/Penguin); THE COFFINS OF LITTLE HOPE, DEVILS IN THE SUGAR SHOP, THE SINGING AND DANCING DAUGHTERS OF GOD and THE PHANTOM LIMBS OF THE ROLLOW SISTERS (all from Unbridled Books). He has served as editor of two books from University of Nebraska Press: YOU WILL NEVER SEE ANY GOD (stories by Ervin Krause); and MORE IN TIME: A TRIBUTE TO TED KOOSER, with Jessica Poli and Marco Abel. His books have been selected as an Indie Next pick, and for the Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers program, and recommended as a New York Times Editors' Choice. THE SWAN GONDOLA was an Oprah.com Book of the Week, and a recommended read from Good Housekeeping, People, The Week, Library Journal, Booklist, & Historical Novel Review.
