WEST LIBERTY, W. Va., February 11, 2025 – West Liberty University (WLU) is proud to welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, short story writer, and West Virginia native Jayne Anne Phillips, 4 p.m. Thursday, March 27, as part of the University’s ongoing Hughes Lecture Series.
Phillips will read from her novel, Night Watch, the 2024 Pulitzer Prize winner for Fiction. She’ll also speak about her life as an author and W. Va. native, and share a presentation of research images from the novel. Special guest, West Virginia Poet Laureate Marc Harshman, will introduce Phillips. A Q&A and book sale/signing will follow her keynote speech.
An epic and enthralling portrait of family endurance set in West Virginia, Night Watch is the story of Eliza and her twelve-year-old daughter ConaLee, who seek refuge in the chaotic aftermath of the Civil War. Their journey takes them to the historic Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum where they try to reclaim their lives. Here, they get swept up in the life of the facility—the mysterious man they call the Night Watch; the orphan child called Weed; the fearsome woman who runs the kitchen; and the remarkable doctor at the head of the institution.
“The Department of English and Modern Languages, as well as the entire campus community, is very excited for Jayne Anne Phillips’ visit to our campus,” remarks WLU Professor of English Dr. Scott Hanna. “We are honored to add her name to the long and distinguished list of Hughes Lecturers,” he adds.
The event takes place in the Kelly Theater, Hall of Fine Arts. Admission is free. Those who wish to learn more about the event or pre-register (which is not required) can visit westliberty.edu/hugheslecture.
