U.S. Poet Laureate Emeritus Juan Felipe Herrera says that Fresno is the "Capital of Poetry in the World." The Fresno State Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing takes that literary legacy seriously. As part of Fresno's annual Rogue Festival, hear the latest poetry and prose from emerging #FresnoWriters in this storytelling and spoken word show, featuring voices from Professor Brynn Saito's undergraduate English 165 craft seminar.

Time: 7 to 8 PM
Date: Thursday, March 7, 2024
Place: Hart's Haven Bookstore (950 N. Van Ness Ave.)
Admission: $10 + Rogue Fest wristband
Rated PG-13 • Latecomers OK • Seating is limited

Buy tickets: https://roguefestival.ticketleap.com/fresnostatecreativewriting/

David R. Carrasco-Gomez is a writer and artist from Fresno, California. His work explores language and imagery and their relationship to consciousness, ontology, and all things mysterious. He can be found reading poetry to cats and arguing politics and metaphysics with mocking birds and black widow spiders.

Allyssa Lucero is a creative writing major in her senior year at Fresno State. Born and raised in Fresno, she has loved writing since a young age, using it as a form of self-expression and a means of communication. For her, writing is like digestion: It is the breaking down thoughts and experiences to nurture oneself. After graduation she hopes to travel and focus on refining her writing.

Genesis Ochoa is a first-year college student, majoring in creative writing at Fresno State.  She's an aspiring writer and poet who started her venture in writing around COVID, and she continues writing to this day. A valedictorian and graduate of Roosevelt High School, she still strives for academic achievement.

Samantha Rostro is a Fresno State student in her senior year. She loves coffee, poetry, and taking her dog on walks. She hopes to become a teacher and a children’s book writer.

Diara Spencer is a writer who desires to engage his listeners in an emotional, visual, and sensual experience that considers writing from a personalized point of view. When engaging in the creative arts, Diara desires to address topics of heartache, realism, and society in a manner that is unfiltered. Diara is a senior at Fresno State studying creative writing, with intentions of pursuing a master's degree. Diara is a risk taker, and a writer who loves to scratch the surface of what doesn’t want to be said.

Marcus Valadez recently received his bachelor's degree in English Studies from Fresno State. He is an aspiring teacher who hopes to make a meaningful impact in his community by helping others believe in themselves and their ability to fulfill their wildest dreams. His writings are often raw, gritty, and full of rhythms that follow the pulse of his soul.

All participants are welcome. For disability related accommodations or access information, please contact Jefferson Beavers at jbeavers@mail.fresnostate.edu or 559.278.1569. Requests should be made at least one week in advance of the event.