Author Diana Abu-Jaber Headlines March Professional Writing Series at Â鶹´«Ã½

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VANCOUVER, Wash. - Acclaimed author Diana Abu-Jaber will discuss "Taking Creative Risks" at 7 p.m. March 2, as part of the Professional Writing Series at Washington State University Vancouver. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the Multimedia Classroom Building Room 6.

Abu-Jaber, whose awards include a PEN Center USA Award for Literary Fiction, an American Book Award and an Oregon Book Award, is the author of "The Language of Baklava," "Crescent," and "Arabian Jazz."

Critics characterize her work as "miraculous," "suffused with energy," and "radiant, wise, and passionate." Her work, they say, "blends the whimsy of Scheherazade-style storytelling with the urgency of contemporary politics."

"I grew up inside the shape of my father's stories," says Abu-Jaber. "A Jordanian immigrant, Dad regaled us with his tales about himself, his country and his family… These stories exerted a powerful influence on my imagination...."

The Professional Writing Series will conclude April 6 when graduates from the Professional Writing Program at Â鶹´«Ã½ will discuss "After the Degree, What's Next?"

All events are scheduled for Thursday nights at 7 p.m. in the Multimedia Classroom Building on the Â鶹´«Ã½ campus. For more information, contact Smith Hill at (360) 546-9677 or hillpam@vancouver.wsu.edu.

The Professional Writing Series is an annual event, which brings writers and editors from multiple backgrounds to campus to share their insight, experience, and artistic vision with the larger Â鶹´«Ã½ community.

Â鶹´«Ã½ is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205. Â鶹´«Ã½ offers 15 bachelor's degrees and nine master's degrees in more than 35 fields of study. Parking rules are enforced Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Parking is available in the blue lot for $2.00 or at parking meters.