On Thursday, Feb. 26, 11 Calvin students and one alumnus stood before an open mic in the Center Art Gallery and read their original writing aloud. The event, aptly named “Calvin Writers Read,” is held annually by the English department as an opportunity for all students, English majors and otherwise, to present their work in front of a real audience. It is also a space where anyone, authors and non-authors alike, can share in the intimacy of artistic exchange.

Out of every activity her department holds, English Professor Sabrina Lee looks forward to this event most. “I love seeing everyone get up and read their work,” she said. “So often we don’t get to hear each other read, and I just think it’s really special to come together. You can tell people put a lot of care into their words.”

At this year’s Calvin Writers Read, words took the shape of poetry, prose, short stories and even, for one reader, a snippet from a blog post. Some works were fictional and some rooted in nonfiction. Topics ranged from friendship to loss to political and social protest. Some works were serious and others lighthearted. All were deeply personal. 

“I’ve always wanted to do [an event] like this,” said sophomore Ellerie Poel. For Poel, the task was a daunting one.  “I felt almost called against my will to read for people,” she recalled. Despite these initial fears, however, she was “so glad” she participated. Poel recommends the experience to her fellow students. “When you feel that kind of internal pressure from yourself and that calling, it means that you’re doing something important,” she said.

Sophomore Juliana Meester had similar concerns going into the event. She shared two poems with the audience, one of which she shared touched a more personal topic. “I wanted to get out of my comfort zone,” Meester told Chimes. 

Calvin’s English department understands these feelings well. Many faculty members have performed readings of their work, published or unpublished, in front of live audiences. In past years, professors have even participated in Calvin Writers Read. “We think it’s important for students to share their work,” explained Lee, speaking on behalf of the department. She continued, “we know that it is scary, [but] I think it’s good practice. And we also love it.”

When each individual spoke, the entire gallery fell silent. The authors’ words, whether heavy or light, were entirely theirs, and cast small glimpses into their humanity. Audience members realized they weren’t really so different. Strangers no longer seemed so strange. Meester felt validated by this exchange. “It’s nice to know that you’re not the only one that’s feeling a lot of emotions,” she said. 

Poel was grateful for what she saw as a collective experience. “I think when we shared that space together,” she reflected, “it turned some of these very heavy poems into something very beautiful. [Experiences are] lighter when we can hold them together.”

“I feel like every person from every major gives a different flavor, a unique perspective to how they write,” added senior Taejung Park. In this way, listening to others read is a way of getting to know them. “Pieces of who you are, they’re in your writing and they shine through,” Park said. 

Junior Zoë Fritz chose to read for this reason. Fritz enjoys submitting work to Dialogue, but was specifically seeking the face-to-face connection that Calvin Writers Read has to offer. “I’ve done open mics before, but this feels more close and a lot less frightening,” Fritz shared.

This closeness is foundational to Calvin Writers Read. Professor Lee holds the event in hopes of “bringing the community together around things [they] care about.” She continued, “We think all of our writers should be presenting their work out in the world.”

For those who wish to participate in a future Calvin Writers Read, this event is held annually each spring semester.