Special to the Journal
OXFORD – Faculty members of the University of Mississippi Department of English will compete in the first Oxford edition of “Literary Death Match” at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Powerhouse.
“‘Literary Death Match’ takes place around the nation and around the world – Shanghai, Paris, London, now Oxford – celebrating literary talent,” said Beth Ann Fennelly, professor of English and director of the Ole Miss master of fine arts program in creative writing. “If I had to summarize what it is, it would be a cross between a literary reading, ‘American Idol’ and a stand-up comedy show.”
Four contestants will each get seven minutes to read their material. After the first two readers present their work, judges will pick one to move on to the final round. Then the next two will duke it out for a chance to go on to the final.
The winner will be decided during a literary-inspired game known as “Pin the Mustache on Hemingway.”
Fennelly will be one of the competitors, and she’ll be joined by two MFA program faculty members, Matt Bondurant and Derrick Harriell, as well as Grisham Writer-in-Residence Kiese Laymon.
Judges will be Mary Miller, author of “The Last Days of California” and “Big World”; Damein Wash, a musician, conductor, composer, performer and producer; and Jim Dees, host of “Thacker Mountain Radio Hour” and author of “Lies and Other Truths.”
The event will be preceded at 7 p.m. by a cocktail reception. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for Ole Miss students. Tickets are available at the door or in advance at literarydeathmatch.bpt.me.
Proceeds will benefit the Barry Hannah Fund, which the MFA program uses to recruit students.
“This became a great way to do something in Barry’s honor while also celebrating Oxford as a great place for literature,” Fennelly said.