Trio of authors coming to WWU for Western Reads presentations, workshops April 18

What does science fiction have to do with social justice?

Come explore on Thursday, April 18, as the Western Reads program hosts three authors from Octavia's Brood: Science Fiction Stories from Social Justice Movements, the 2018-2019 Western Reads book. Octavia’s Brood, named in honor of Black feminist sci-fi writer Octavia Butler, is an anthology of radical science fiction written by community organizers and activists.

At 6 p.m. in Fraser Hall 102, co-editor/author Walidah Imarisha and authors Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha and Gabriel Teodros will present on using the genre of science fiction as a practice ground for social justice. This campus-wide presentation is free and open to the public.

In the morning and afternoon, students have the opportunity to participate in a Zine-Making Workshop or a Collective Sci-Fi Writing Workshop and enjoy lunch with the authors and their fellow students. Participation in these activities requires advance registration, as space is limited, with priority given to first-year students. Interested students can view workshop descriptions and register on the Western Reads website.

Fragrance-Free Events: We request that all participants refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, essential oils, and other fragranced products. These products can trigger serious health issues for those with fragrance allergies and/or chemical sensitivities.

For more information about these activities, please contact Danielle Smith, Western Reads Associate Director, at (360) 650-7546 or Danielle.Smith@wwu.edu.

To learn more about Western Reads and other offerings spring quarter, visit the Western Reads website at westernreads.wwu.edu.

Gabriel Teodros
Leah Piepzna Samarasinha