Alaska writers have a range of talents as large as the state they hail from. The Alaska Quarterly Review captures the best of that work and the writings of authors from across the world into an annual collection that has garnered literary praise for decades.
Editor Ron Spatz started the publication at UAA 33 years ago and is still at the helm. The collection of nonfiction, fiction and poetry is always masterful — but this fall’s edition of the AQR devotes more than 80 pages to the musical artistry of John Luther Adams.
Adams is a Pulitzer Prize- and Grammy-winning composer. Adams recounts his friendships with poet John Haines and composer and conductor Gordon Wright in his composition “They were my people.”
Editor Ron Spatz says Adams wanted to print the music for two compositions in the AQR.
Ron Spatz is the editor of the Alaska Quarterly Review. A celebration for this year’s AQR featuring readings and a concert will take place in Anchorage at the Blue Hollomon Gallery on Friday night at 7 p.m.
Lori Townsend is the chief editor, senior vice president of journalism and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452. Read more about Lori here.
