Literary Residencies
The Literary Residency program has brought local, regional and national authors to the area for stimulating public readings, workshops and lectures over the years.  Recently, author Neal Bowers visited the area for a three-day series of events, and Harper Lee biographer Charles Shields spoke at schools, bookstores and the Midwest Writing Center during our programs for The Big Read.  Past authors have included Max Allan Collins, Fern Schumer Chapman, and former
U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins.