The English Graduate Organization and Council of Writers in the Department of English at West Virginia University will hold a book sale on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. in Colson Hall to raise money for group activities in the coming year.

The event will feature a variety of used books donated by faculty and staff in the department of English and the University community. Books will be sold in good-as-new condition and priced from $.50 to $5. Baked goods will also be available for purchase, and raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to win a basket of handmade soaps and other prizes.

The English Graduate Organization (EGO) creates a forum for fellow students to discuss issues facing their discipline within WVU and the professional world. Their activities throughout the year include the Graduate Student Colloquium held at WVU in the spring. In the past, the colloquium has attracted students from surrounding universities, such as Marshall University, the University of Pittsburgh, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Duquesne University, and Kansas State University.

“The book sale brings people together for a good cause,” said EGO President Jessica Queener. “This year, EGO hopes to use funding from the book sale toward the conference and expand its audience beyond the region.”

The Council of Writers (COW) is the official organization for students pursuing a master of fine arts (MFA) degree in creative writing. Each year, COW holds a welcome party for incoming students, organizes creative readings for graduate and undergraduate students, and sponsors readings by well-known authors on campus. This spring, they hope to use proceeds from the book sale to bring renowned nonfiction writer Dinty Moore to WVU for a reading and workshop with students.

“Our spring guest reader is a COW event students and faculty always look forward to,” said COW President Kori Frazier. “The book sale not only offers some great deals, but it helps us bring authors of high caliber to WVU and gives students an opportunity to meet and learn from them.”

Book donations will be accepted until Wednesday, Nov. 4. For more information or to donate, contact Jessica Queener at jqueener@mix.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

lp/10/19/09

CONTACT: Rebecca Herod, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
304-293-7405, ext. 5251, Rebecca.Herod@mail.wvu.edu