Thursday pick: Fantasy author Sofia Samatar reads at Fresno Pacific
The event: Sofia Samatar, author of the novels “A Stranger in Olondria” and “The Winged Histories,” will appear with artist Del Samatar at a reading 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Seminary Chapel, North Hall 123, at Fresno Pacific University. Del Samatar’s work will be shown at the reading and be on exhibit until March 6 in the Sattler 104 Art Gallery on the FPU main campus.
The featured book: “Monster Portraits” was written by Sofia Samatar, who will read from the book, and illustrated by Del Samatar.
The backstory: Sofia Samatar’s honors include the Astounding Award (formerly the John W. Campbell Award), the British Fantasy Award and the World Fantasy Award. She lives in Virginia, where she teaches literature at James Madison University. Del Samatar holds a B.A. in Fine Arts from Rutgers University, lives in New Jersey and works as a tattoo artist. “Monster Portraits” is his first book.
The series: The Jean and Louis Janzen Visiting Writers Series was established in the fall of 2017 to bring excellent writers to the Fresno Pacific University community. The series honors the service, teaching and contributions of Dr. Louis Janzen and Jean Janzen, award-winning Central Valley poet.