The Bert C. Bach Written Word Initiative

The ETSU community was heartbroken to learn of the sudden passing of Dr. Bert C. Bach on August 14, 2023. Dr. Bach was a champion for the arts and especially for making them available to students. We will carry his name and his memory forward with us in all that we do with the Written Word Initiative. 

The Bert C. Bach Written Word Initiative sponsors programs related to literature and creative writing at ETSU. We place an emphasis on events that benefit students, and we welcome our broader community of readers and writers from around the world. 

 

Bert C Bach Logo

 

 

Save the date for our next events: 





 

Jeff VanderMeer, Fall Residency

October 25 
3:30 PM - Q&A Roundtable Discussion in Rogers Stout Hall Room 102 Auditorium 
7 PM - Reading in Brown Auditorium 




October 26
1:20 PM - "Creating Imaginative Fiction" session with Dr. Mark Baumgartner in Room 309 in Sherrod Library 


Jim Minick visit for an Environmental Studies Collaboration


November 15th 
4 PM - Q&A Roundtable Discussion in Rogers Stout Hall Room 102 Auditorium

 

Enjoy these photos from our most recent events: the 2023 Spring Literary Festival, the Women of Appalachia Project "Women Speak" reading, and our 2023 Young Writers' Workshop. Follow the links to read more about these various projects and partnerships. 

  • Daniel Wallace reads from his memoir, This Isn't Going to End Well, for the Jack Higgs Memorial Reading at the 2023 Spring Literary Festival keynote address.

    Daniel Wallace reads from his memoir, This Isn't Going to End Well, for the Jack Higgs Memorial Reading at the 2023 Spring Literary Festival keynote address.

  • Visiting writers Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, Adrienne Su, and Austin Bunn take questions from students and the community about writing and craft.

    Visiting writers Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, Adrienne Su, and Austin Bunn take questions from students and the community about writing and craft.

  • Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle reads from her novel, Even As We Breathe, and talks about fiction writing to the crowd.

    Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle reads from her novel, Even As We Breathe, and talks about fiction writing to the crowd.

  • Joshua Martin reads poetry as one of the presenters for the New Writing from ETSU session. He is a professor in the Department of Literature and Language.

    Joshua Martin reads poetry as one of the presenters for the New Writing from ETSU session. He is a professor in the Department of Literature and Language.

  • Poet Adrienne Su reads from her book, Peach State.

    Poet Adrienne Su reads from her book, Peach State.

  • Dr. Jesse Graves, ETSU's Poet-in-Residence and the Director of the Bert C. Bach Written Word Initiative, opens the two-day Spring Literary Festival.

    Dr. Jesse Graves, ETSU's Poet-in-Residence and the Director of the Bert C. Bach Written Word Initiative, opens the two-day Spring Literary Festival.

  • Keynote speaker Daniel Wallace joins a roundtable discussion with Dr. Jesse Graves and Dr. Scott Honeycutt to discuss his new memoir, This Isn't Going to End Well, and the legacy of William Nealy.

    Keynote speaker Daniel Wallace joins a roundtable discussion with Dr. Jesse Graves and Dr. Scott Honeycutt to discuss his new memoir, This Isn't Going to End Well, and the legacy of William Nealy.

  • A crowd fills the Reece Museum for the Keynote Address of the Spring Literary Festival, presented by author Daniel Wallace.

    A crowd fills the Reece Museum for the Keynote Address of the Spring Literary Festival, presented by author Daniel Wallace.

  • Keynote speaker Daniel Wallace joins a roundtable discussion with Dr. Jesse Graves and Dr. Scott Honeycutt to discuss his new memoir, This Isn't Going to End Well, and the legacy of William Nealy.

    Keynote speaker Daniel Wallace joins a roundtable discussion with Dr. Jesse Graves and Dr. Scott Honeycutt to discuss his new memoir, This Isn't Going to End Well, and the legacy of William Nealy.

  • Readers during the Women of Appalachia Project "Women Speak" Event: Tina Parker, Jane Hicks, Rita Sims Quillen, Lisa J. Parker, Tamara Baxter, Dana Wildsmith, K.B. Ballentine, Catherine Pritchard Childress, Jessica Cory, Sue Weaver Dunlap, and Chrissie Anderson Peters. Kneeling are Lacy Snapp and Kari Gunter-Seymour.

    Readers during the Women of Appalachia Project "Women Speak" Event: Tina Parker, Jane Hicks, Rita Sims Quillen, Lisa J. Parker, Tamara Baxter, Dana Wildsmith, K.B. Ballentine, Catherine Pritchard Childress, Jessica Cory, Sue Weaver Dunlap, and Chrissie Anderson Peters. Kneeling are Lacy Snapp and Kari Gunter-Seymour.

  • Kari Gunter-Seymour is the Poet Laureate of Ohio and the founder of the Women of Appalachia Project. Here, she holds up the 8th Volume of the "Women Speak" Anthology before the ETSU event.

    Kari Gunter-Seymour is the Poet Laureate of Ohio and the founder of the Women of Appalachia Project. Here, she holds up the 8th Volume of the "Women Speak" Anthology before the ETSU event.

  • Jane Hicks reads her poetry during the "Women Speak" event.

    Jane Hicks reads her poetry during the "Women Speak" event.

  • Tamara Baxter tells of her Appalachian heritage before reading her fiction piece from the "Women Speak" Anthology.

    Tamara Baxter tells of her Appalachian heritage before reading her fiction piece from the "Women Speak" Anthology.

  • Dr. Jesse Graves, ETSU's Poet-in-Residence and the Director of the Bert C. Bach Written Word Initiative, Lacy Snapp, Assistant Director of the Bert C. Bach Written Word Initiative, and Kari Gunter-Seymour, Ohio's Poet Laureate and the Founder and Director of the Women of Appalachia Project, gather for a picture at the "Women Speak" ETSU reading.

    Dr. Jesse Graves, ETSU's Poet-in-Residence and the Director of the Bert C. Bach Written Word Initiative, Lacy Snapp, Assistant Director of the Bert C. Bach Written Word Initiative, and Kari Gunter-Seymour, Ohio's Poet Laureate and the Founder and Director of the Women of Appalachia Project, gather for a picture at the "Women Speak" ETSU reading.

  • Writer Sheree Renée Thomas talks with her students about pieces in the exhibit during the museum workshop.

    Writer Sheree Renée Thomas talks with her students about pieces in the exhibit during the museum workshop.

  • Young writers look at artwork in the Sammie Nicely exhibit to find inspiration for poems or stories.

    Young writers look at artwork in the Sammie Nicely exhibit to find inspiration for poems or stories.

  • Young writers immerse themselves in the Galaxy exhibit in the Reece museum to write and share their drafts in small groups.

    Young writers immerse themselves in the Galaxy exhibit in the Reece museum to write and share their drafts in small groups.

  • Students get the opportunity to read their work for their peers, the writing faculty, and the camp staff during the final night of the workshop.

    Students get the opportunity to read their work for their peers, the writing faculty, and the camp staff during the final night of the workshop.

  • One young writer composes a piece in response to the quilt exhibit in the Reece Museum.

    One young writer composes a piece in response to the quilt exhibit in the Reece Museum.

  • Students get the chance to explore the museum and respond to the artwork for the morning writing session.

    Students get the chance to explore the museum and respond to the artwork for the morning writing session.

  • Local songwriter ​Florencia Rusiñol returns to the workshop to help students turn their writings into songs.

    Local songwriter ​Florencia Rusiñol returns to the workshop to help students turn their writings into songs.

  • In the Reece's galaxy exhibit, one student sits to respond in their writing.

    In the Reece's galaxy exhibit, one student sits to respond in their writing.

  • Young writers look at artwork in the Sammie Nicely exhibit to find inspiration for poems or stories.

    Young writers look at artwork in the Sammie Nicely exhibit to find inspiration for poems or stories.

  • The 2023 Writing Faculty: Valencia Robin, Sheree Renée Thomas, Molly McGhee, and Jesse Graves.

    The 2023 Faculty: Valencia Robin, Sheree Renée Thomas, Molly McGhee, and Jesse Graves.

  • The 2023 Staff: Patrick Shaffner, AK Stites, Lacy Snapp, Melissa McKnight, Holly Todaro, Jaimie Maltese, and Chloe Philpot.

    The 2023 Staff: Patrick Shaffner, AK Stites, Lacy Snapp, Melissa McKnight, Holly Todaro, Jaimie Maltese, and Chloe Philpot.

  • Students and the writing faculty gather with Dr. Kimberly McCorkle, the ETSU Provost, during a morning visit.

    Students and the writing faculty gather with Dr. Kimberly McCorkle, the ETSU Provost, during a morning visit.

  • The 2023 Young Writers' Workshop group photo of students, faculty, and staff.

    The 2023 Young Writers' Workshop group photo of students, faculty, and staff.

Browse the 2023 schedule of events from April's Spring Literary Festival: 

Spring literary festival flier 1 Spring literary festival flier 4
Spring literary festival flier 2 Spring literary festival flier 3
  • The 2023 Spring Literary Festival keynote speaker Daniel Wallace joins a roundtable discussion with Dr. Jesse Graves and Dr. Scott Honeycutt to discuss his new memoir, This Isn't Going to End Well, and the legacy of William Nealy.

    The 2023 Spring Literary Festival keynote speaker Daniel Wallace joins a roundtable discussion with Dr. Jesse Graves and Dr. Scott Honeycutt to discuss his new memoir, This Isn't Going to End Well, and the legacy of William Nealy.

  • Valencia Robin, Leah Naomi Green, and Lisa J. Parker spent the afternoon at ETSU for a roundtable discussion, poetry reading, and Q&A with students and the public for the 3 Emerging Writers' Event.

    Valencia Robin, Leah Naomi Green, and Lisa J. Parker spent the afternoon at ETSU for a roundtable discussion, poetry reading, and Q&A with students and the public for the 3 Emerging Writers' 2023 Event.

  • Poet-in-Residence Dr. Jesse Graves, 19th Poet Laureate of the United States Natasha Trethewey, and Basler Chair Amy Wright engage in a conversation about memoir during Trethewey's 2022 visit to campus. (from left to right)

    Poet-in-Residence Dr. Jesse Graves, 19th Poet Laureate of the United States Natasha Trethewey, and Basler Chair Amy Wright engage in a conversation about memoir during Trethewey's 2022 visit to campus. (from left to right)

  • Former Poet Laureate Charles Wright and Dr. Jesse Graves host a Q&A during Wright's 2017 visit to campus.

    Former Poet Laureate Charles Wright and Dr. Jesse Graves host a Q&A during Wright's 2017 visit to campus.

  • A crowd shot in the Reece Museum during former Poet Laureate Charles Wright's 2017 visit to campus.

    A crowd shot in the Reece Museum during former Poet Laureate Charles Wright's 2017 visit to campus.

  • Former Poet Laureate Joy Harjo plays a flute to open the Sixth Annual Robert "Jack" Higgs Memorial Reading in 2018.

    Former Poet Laureate Joy Harjo plays a flute to open the Sixth Annual Robert "Jack" Higgs Memorial Reading in 2018.

  • A 2022 Young Writers' Workshop participant uses the visual prompt of art from the Reece Museum to inspire a poem.

    A 2022 Young Writers' Workshop participant uses the visual prompt of art from the Reece Museum to inspire a poem.

  • Poet-in-Residence Dr. Jesse Graves, 19th Poet Laureate of the United States Natasha Trethewey, Director of the Black American Studies Program Daryl Carter, and Basler Chair Amy Wright (from left to right)

    Poet-in-Residence Dr. Jesse Graves, 19th Poet Laureate of the United States Natasha Trethewey, Director of the Black American Studies Program Daryl Carter, and Basler Chair Amy Wright (from left to right)

  • Author Lynn Powell joins Dr. Jesse Graves and students and faculty from the Literature and Language Department for a photo during her visit to campus in 2018.

    Author Lynn Powell joins Dr. Jesse Graves and students and faculty from the Literature and Language Department for a photo during her visit to campus in 2018.

  • A photo from the first Robert J. "Jack" Higgs Reading in 2013 featuring Jesse Graves, Art Smith, Marilyn Kallet, Catherine Pritchard Childress, Jack Higgs, and Thomas Alan Holmes.

    A photo from the first Robert J. "Jack" Higgs Reading in 2013 featuring Jesse Graves, Art Smith, Marilyn Kallet, Catherine Pritchard Childress, Jack Higgs, and Thomas Alan Holmes.

  • Former Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey reads from her memoir during her 2022 visit to ETSU.

    Former Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey reads from her memoir during her 2022 visit to ETSU.

  • Some of the 2022 Young Writers' Workshop staff from left to right: Madeline Rodenberg, Lacy Snapp, Stella Rodenberg, AK Stites, and Dr. Jesse Graves.

    Some of the 2022 Young Writers' Workshop staff from left to right: Madeline Rodenberg, Lacy Snapp, Stella Rodenberg, AK Stites, and Dr. Jesse Graves.

Founded in 2015, this ETSU initiative has helped to sponsor programs such as the Spring Literary Festival, the Fall Residency Readings, 3 Emerging Writers Events, the Young Writers' Workshop, and other partnership events over the past seven years. 

Our history:

In September 2015, Dr. Bert C. Bach requested a meeting with English professor and Poet-in-Residence, Dr. Jesse Graves to discuss what kinds of support would most benefit students of writing at ETSU. Planning for events began immediately, resulting in the very first Spring Literary Festival the following semester in April 2016.  The program has hosted some remarkable events through the first six years of the program, most that we would never have dreamed of without the BCB Initiative. We hosted US Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize-winning Kingsport, TN native Charles Wright in October 2017; future US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo in April 2018; Jefferson Award-winning novelist Silas House in April 2019, along with many other celebrated authors in those early years. The BCB has hosted dozens of writers since 2016, with many hundreds of students and community members in attendance, and has developed meaningful partnerships with organizations on campus and beyond. What began with Dr. Bach's question, "What do our writing students need?" has resulted in several ongoing programs, such as the annual Spring Literary Festival, Fall Residency, and 3 Emerging Writers series, alongside new partnerships like the Black American Writers' Series, the Young Writers' Workshop, and a continuing TEDxETSU license for the Creative Writing Society. 

Photo of Dr. Bert C. Bach 

Dr. Bert C. Bach 

Bert C. Bach retired in 2020 as the longest serving  Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at East Tennessee State University, a position he held from 1994 until his retirement. Before coming to ETSU, Dr. Bach served for twelve years in Tennessee higher education as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the Tennessee Board of Regents.  He also served for a year as Interim President of East Tennessee State University. During his entire academic career—which spanned more than five decades--Dr. Bach held faculty positions in English departments, attained the rank of Professor at four universities, held various positions in academic administration including Dean of Arts and Science, Chair of an English Department, Chair of a Composition Program, and Coordinator of American Studies. A native Kentuckian, Dr. Bach held academic teaching and administrative appointments at public or private colleges and universities in Georgia, New York, Kentucky, Illinois, and Tennessee. A former Carnegie Fellow and American Council on Education Fellow, Dr. Bach holds the Ph.D. in English from New York University.

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