Acclaimed poets David Allan Evans and Larry Gavin will read from their work at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 18, at Monkey See, Monkey Read bookstore.
Evans, the author of five books of poetry and the author or editor of seven other books, has been the poet laureate of South Dakota since 2002. He has lived in Brookings since 1968, where he was a professor of English and writer in residence at South Dakota State University until his recent retirement. Born in Sioux City, Iowa, Evans went to college on a football scholarship, and by the time he graduated was writing poems and short stories. He has degrees from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, the University of Iowa, and the University of Arkansas, where he received a master’s in fine arts in creative writing. His most recent full-length collection is “The Bull Rider’s Advice.”
Gavin, author of “Least Resistance,” published by Northfield-based Red Dragonfly Press, was born and raised in Austin, Minn. Early influences include the great Austin poet Richard Eberhart and union workers of Local P-9, from whom he learned the value of honest work that continues to inform the themes and cadences of his poetry. He received a degree in literature and creative writing at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall. He later earned a master’s degree from the Bread Loaf School of English in Vermont. Gavin has worked as a bridge builder, farm laborer, policeman, gambler, historical site guide, pipeline worker, newspaper reporter, teacher, and machinist. He is currently a field editor for Midwest Fly Fishing Magazine. He lives in Faribault, with wife Patty, son Fergus, a small pack of beagles, and a Springer spaniel bird dog named L.C.
The reading is free and the public is invited to attend.
Monkey See, Monkey Read is located at 425 Division Street in downtown Northfield.
