Three UVM faculty members will lead a discussion titled "Chats in the Stacks: Once Upon a Tale" on the enduring power and possibilities of folk and fairy tales on October 23 at 3 p.m. in the Howe Library Atrium. A scholar, poet, and novelist will each introduce a figure in a tale that is thematically impactful to their work and talk about how it reverberates with an age-old story. Authors will share some of their own writing and then invite the audience into a dialogue about the pleasures, challenges, and wishes in revisiting and reimagining fairy tales.

"It feels appropriate for a university library to unite faculty authors, our university community and good conversation," said Meg Thomas, director of outreach and process at the Libraries. "Our planning meetings have been mini previews into how fun these three authors will be to hear from."

UVM faculty authors to speak include:

Maria Hummel, professor in UVM’s English department, is the author of five novels, most recently "Goldenseal," which was longlisted for the Joyce Carol Oates prize and the Clark Prize, and a finalist for the Vermont Book Award. Maria will discuss "Goldenseal."

Cristina Mazzoni, Wolfgang and Barbara Mieder Green & Gold Professor of Italian in the School of World Languages and Cultures, teaches Italian at all levels and courses in English on European fairy tales and Italian food culture. Her latest book is an edited collection of R.H. Busk’s Roman folktales. Cristina will discuss her current research on Straparola and the European fairytale tradition.

Eve Alexandra is a senior lecturer in the English Department. Her second poetry collection "None of Us in White" won the Two Sylvias Press Wilder Prize and was published this June. Her first book, "The Drowned Girl," was selected by C.K. Williams for the Wick Poetry Prize.

Join us virtually or in person. Refreshments will be served and a chance to win signed copies of the authors' books will be available to in-person attendees.