An array of pictures of the five presenters from the event.

Literary Uprising Reading Brings in Five Diverse Voices

Five Antioch-affiliated writers gathered virtually on May 18 to share readings from their work in the latest installment of the “Literary Uprising” reading series. Each story or poem had a striking tone and voice, filling attendees with inspiration and the pleasure of art. This event was presented by teaching faculty Alistair McCartney, himself a noted novelist, who gave thorough and kind introductions to all the readers.

“No robes, no candles, no bells, no incense, nothing we can hold. And nothing we can know,” read Aaron Angello. A poet and BA alum, Angello is the author of the hybrid genre work The Fact of Memory: 114 Ruminations and Fabrications. He read several of his beautiful quatrains, full of striking imagery and impact.

Lisbeth Coiman read poems from her book Uprising/Alzamiento, in both English and Spanish, weaving history and personal narrative. Coiman is a bilingual writer, and she is part of the Women Who Submit, a project partly run by MFA faculty Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo.

MFA alum Melissa Chadburn read from her newly-released novel A Tiny Upward Shove. In one memorable passage she read, “Don’t believe anyone who tells you that death comes quick and painless. That’s bullshit.”

Maggie Morris, the winner of the 2021 Allegra Johnson Prize for her memoir-in-progress Stone, read a deeply person except from that book. This was exciting and motivating for listeners to see a work-in-progress. Her passage showcased bold tones mixed with melancholy and reminiscence.

The last reader this evening was Aminah Mae Safi, who is also faculty in the MFA. She shared the first chapter of her thrilling novel Travelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix! An exciting, and fun end to the evening.

The evening was sponsored by the MFA in Creative Writing, the BA in Liberal Studies concentration in Creative Writing, and Two Hawks Quarterly, all based at Antioch Los Angeles.