UMass Amherst MFA for Poets and Writers Hosts 2022 Juniper Literary Festival

The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s MFA program for Poets and Writers announces the 2022 Juniper Literary Festival, April 1-2 in Old Chapel. Inaugurated in 2001, the Juniper Literary Festival showcases exciting new writing and explores issues vital to the literary arts, helping to ensure their vitality, plurality and accessibility.

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This year, the Festival returns to an in-person event. Readings and receptions are free and open to members of the Five College community with a valid school ID and the general public with proof of vaccination. Events are wheelchair accessible. Registration for each event is required.

Friday, April 1, 6 p.m.: The MFA will host a reading by prose writer Mona Awad and poet Mai Der Vang. Previously a recipient of the Amazon Best First Novel Award and the Colorado Book award, Awad’s newest book, “All’s Well,” is a searing indictment on society’s collective refusal to witness and believe female pain. Vang’s “Yellow Rain,” a 2022 PEN America Literary Award finalist, is a work of documentary, poetry and collage that calls out the erasure of a history, and the silencing of Hmong refugees. A book signing and reception will follow the reading.

The revival of the long-standing student reading series Live Lit—hosted by and featuring current MFA students—will close out the evening at 8 p.m. Register for Friday evening readings.

Saturday, April 2, 4 p.m.: The MFA will welcome back four distinguished alumni for a reading and conversation: Emily Hunt (MFA ‘13), author of “Dark Green;” Robin McLean (MFA ‘11), author of “Pity the Beast;” Wendy Xu (MFA ‘14), author of “The Past;” and Jung Yun (MFA ‘07), author of “O Beautiful.” Register for the alumni reading.

The 2022 Juniper Literary Festival is a program of the University of Massachusetts Amherst MFA for Poets and Writers’ Juniper Initiative and made possible with generous support from Mass Cultural Council; UMass Arts Council; Office of the Provost; Office of Research and Engagement; Graduate School; College of Humanities and Fine Arts; Department of English; Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures; Women of Color Leadership Network; and Arts Extension Service.