Looking Forward (and Backward) to Literary Salons

by Callisto Martinez ’26

This year, the English department will be continuing our Literary Salons — faculty-inspired events featuring local authors, English department alums, and current faculty. These events, which take place in Old Main’s fourth floor lounge on select weeks after our Coffee House on Wednesday, provide an opportunity to connect through literature and poetry. 

Wednesday, September 25th — Literary Salon with Miriam Moore-Keish

Miriam Moore-Keish ’19, author of two poetry collections and now a children’s book, joined us on Old Main’s fourth floor to discuss her children’s book: Every Body is Different. While students and faculty alike finished snacking on chips with guacamole and salsa, ice cream, and coffee (An unlikely combination, but a delicious one nonetheless!), department Chair Matt Burgess kicked off the Literary Salon by inviting Moore-Keish to read her book aloud. Complete with vibrant illustrations from Alejandra Ruiz, Every Body is Different reminds children and adults alike that our bodies carry us through play, exploration, and growth and deserve appreciation for all they do for us. 

Moore-Keish reflected on her journey from writing two poetry collections — Cherokee Rose and Clearance Philosophy, both of which she’s discussed with The Words in previous years — to working in writing and publishing children’s literature. She explained that the roughly 14-month process of completing Every Body is Different started as a pitch to her publisher to pass to another children’s author before they suggested that she write the book herself. 

In perfect timing with Banned Books Week, the conversation then turned to the current state of the publishing industry amidst attacks on books with diverse characters. Moore-Keish discussed access to literature in a way that many of us at Macalester haven’t thought about in our college community; she explained that childrens’ access to books are mostly controlled by the adults who take them to local libraries or bookstores. Some parents have also imposed constraints on what libraries can provide by re-challenging books, and a few have even threatened librarians, authors, and publishers. Turning to solutions, Moore-Keish explained that we can help protect children’s ability to see themselves and others represented positively in books by supporting local libraries and reporting online groups that work to ban diverse literature. 

The Literary Salon concluded with Prof. Burgess opening the floor to questions for Moore-Keish, many of which revolved around the publishing process for children’s literature and Moore-Keish’s experience publishing poetry compared to children’s literature. Looking back on her time at Mac, Prof. Burgess and Moore-Keish jointly concluded that believing in herself, despite moments of criticality, had helped her find her own path in the literary world. 

Wednesday, October 9th — Literary Salon with Izzy Wasserstein

This year, Izzy Wasserstein came out with her new novella These Fragile Graces, This Fugitive Heart, and this month, Professor Emma Törz will welcome her to speak at our Literary Salon, beginning at 5 p.m. on the fourth floor of Old Main. Wasserstein, a trans and queer professor, has also published two poetry collections and a collection of short stories, All the Hometowns You Can’t Stay Away From. She will read a selection from These Fragile Graces, This Fugitive Heart, give a brief craft talk, and engage in a Q&A with attendees.