October 20, 2010

Author Diana Glyer to Speak at the Wade Center on
“C.S. Lewis’s Fingerprints on the Map of Middle-Earth”

Author Diana Pavlac Glyer, presents a lecture titled “C.S. Lewis’s Fingerprints on the Map of Middle-Earth,” at 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 20. The topic of her talk is based on her study of collaboration among the Inklings, which was completed using resources at the Marion E. Wade Center.

Dr. Glyer is the author of The Company They Keep: C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien as Writers in Community. Her book reveals the behind-the-scenes story of how Lewis, Tolkien, Owen Barfield, Charles Williams, and other Inklings influenced each other’s works and accomplishments. This engaging work was published in 2007 and in the words of Wade Center Associate Director Marjorie Lamp Mead, “deserves a place in the library of all those who value the works of the Inklings.”

Dr. Glyer is a professor of English at Azusa Pacific University and was the winner of the Mythopoeic Scholarship Award for Inklings Studies in 2008. Copies of her book will be available for sale at the event.

This lecture is free and open to the public. It takes place at The Marion E. Wade Center, located at 351 E. Lincoln Avenue in Wheaton (campus map).

The Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College is a special library, archives, and museum devoted to the works of seven British authors including C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, Dorothy L. Sayers, G.K. Chesterton, George MacDonald, and Owen Barfield. Wheaton College (Wheaton, Ill.) is a coeducational Christian liberal arts college noted for its rigorous academics, integration of faith and learning, and consistent ranking among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

Take a look: http://www.aslanscountry.com/2010/09/2010-c-s-lewis-festival/

Several years ago, I did an interview about Lewis and Tolkien for the Mars Hill Audio Journal. The folks at Mars Hill make it easy to purchase the MP3, CD, or cassette of this interview and others.

It's a wonderful resource. Here's a link:

http://www.marshillaudio.org/resources/volume_contents.asp?segmentVolumeID=088

I just received this information on the upcoming C. S. Lewis Foundation Retreat and Writer's Conference, coming this October.  For more information, check out their website:  http://www.cslewis.org/programs/regional/sw/2010/retreat/registration/

The Weight of Glory: Reflections on Longing and Belonging

Come to beautiful Camp Allen in Navasota, Texas, to hear plenary speakers Dr. Malcolm Guite and Dr. Louis Markos reflect on C.S. Lewis’s renowned sermon, "The Weight of Glory," and illustrate his insights into “glory,” “longing,” and humankind’s relationship with God. Speakers and performers for this event will include:

• Dr. Malcolm Guite
• Dr. Louis Markos
• David McKechnie
• Noel Paul Stookey
• Ad Deum Dance Company

Along with the retreat, don’t miss our second annual Writers Workshop, featuring a rare appearance by Randy Alcorn, author of over 30 books of fiction and nonfiction.  The workshop, Writing Past the Watchful Dragons, will include a variety of speakers, including writers, editors, and agents.

a glorious time in a glorious space

I also presented a paper to the Oxford C. S. Lewis Society. Officers Brendan Wolfe and Judith Tonning offered a warm welcome.  It was really a lovely evening, and I was both enlightened and encouraged by this remarkable group.

I used the occasion to offer my first formal presentation of some new research on Warren Hamilton Lewis. Warnie stands in his brother's shadow, and his legacy has been marred by his well-known struggles with alcohol. But there is so much more to know about this man: a fine writer, a gracious friend, a key member of the Inklings. I have been studying his letters and look forward to writing more about him.

If you are interested in C. S. Lewis, I urge you to support the work of this Society: http://lewisinoxford.googlepages.com/

Andrew Lazo talks; Will Vaus and Diana Glyer listen

Josh Long, Mike Glyer, Lions, Tigers, and other notables crowded into the bookshop.

Back in October, Will Vaus and I were featured speakers at a book signing at the Mystery and Imagination Bookshop in Glendale, California. Local signings can be particularly energetic, and this event was no exception.

Josh Long, a Tolkien scholar and teacher at a near-by high school, had invited his class to attend the event, and he sweetened the deal by offering extra credit to his students if they came in Narnia costume. There is nothing quite like talking about C. S. Lewis with Prince Caspian, a White Witch, and a few assorted LIONS in the room!

Other not-so-fictional notables included Stan Mattson of the C. S. Lewis Foundation; Inklings scholar Andrew Lazo; authors Joseph Bentz and Tom Allbaugh; Hugo winner Mike Glyer; and musician Lynn Maudlin. (Lynn took all of the pictures featured in this post).

Will talked about The Professor of Narnia, I talked about The Company They Keep, and then we answered questions from the audience. Our hosts, Malcolm and Christine Bell, were an absolute pleasure to work with. They were well prepared, they communicated freely and frequently, they publicized well, and they provided a bright and spacious venue for a truly great evening. Kudos all around.

Takeaway: Local, special-interest bookshops provide an extremely important service when they connect readers with writers. It's a great deal of fun, and everybody wins. Ask your local bookshop to provide time and space for authors and fans to connect face to face.

http://www.cslewis.org/programs/regional/sw/2009/index.html

tapping the keys of Warnie's typewriter

 When I visited C.S. Lewis's house, The Kilns, I was delighted to see that his brother's typewriter was on display. Warnie typed up manuscripts, wrote letters, and drafted his own books on that sturdy machine. Something very satisfying in the patterns and textures and sounds of an old machine. Something very humbling to touch lightly on the keys of history.