Source: Karin Westman, 785-532-2190, westmank@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Rosie Hoefling, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Monday, Oct. 4, 2010

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD AUTHOR M.T. ANDERSON PRESENTING LECTURE OCT. 6

MANHATTAN -- The Kansas State University department of English will host a lecture by National Book Award-winning author M.T. Anderson at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, in Forum Hall at the K-State Student Union.

A book signing will follow the lecture, which is free and open to the public.

Anderson's lecture "The Feed in Our Future?" will focus on many issues raised by his literary works, which Philip Nel, professor of English and director of the children's literature program at K-State, describes as full of provocative ideas and compelling characters.

"In his work Anderson asks the big questions: What does it mean to be human?" "Is technology changing the way we think?" Nel said.

Known for his futuristic novel "Feed," Anderson is a prize-winning author of fiction for young adults. He also has been recognized for his historical fiction, including "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Part I: The Pox Party" and "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Part II: The Kingdom on the Waves."

Anderson has published many stories for adults in literary journals, including The Northwest Review, The Colorado Review and Conjunctions. Along with the National Book Award, his honors include the Boston Globe/Horn Book Prize, two Printz Honors and the L.A. Times Book Prize.

"We're thrilled that K-State students, faculty and staff, along with the Manhattan community, will be able to experience the work of such an acclaimed and popular author," said Karin Westman, head of the department of English at K-State. "If you were impressed by the dystopian world created by Suzanne Collins in 'The Hunger Games,' or if you like novels that explore contemporary issues by way of the past, you won't want to miss M.T. Anderson."

More information about Anderson can be found at http://mt-anderson.com/.