Local author, poet to present book signing, reading

Faith United Methodist Church, 321 Nash St., will host a reading and book signing with author and poet John W. Crawford at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Crawford will share excerpts from his most recent book of story poems entitled “Female Voices from the Bible,” which tells stories of daring, intelligent and brave women of ancient times.

Following the reading will be a reception honoring Crawford and his lifetime of achievements in the literary and scholarly worlds.

Crawford is a retired educator of high school, college and university students. He has earned degrees from Texarkana College, Texas; Ouachita Baptist University, Arkansas; Drake University, Iowa; and Oklahoma State University, all in the teaching of English literature and rhetoric. He has four academic books on Shakespeare and the Renaissance published and three books of poetry. His essays and poetry appeared in such journals as Arizona Quarterly, CEA Critic, Theology Today, Christianity Today, Lucidity, and Voices International.

Crawford has read his essays and poetry in venues like South Central MLA, College English Association, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana Philological Associations, and the National Federation of Poetry Societies. His prizes include two Sybil Nash Abrams Awards, the Arkansas Haiku Prize, the Georgia Prize for Narrative Poetry, and the Grand Prize of the International Society of Poets.

Crawford is also a gifted musician. Since the age of 10, he has been serving as pianist and organist within his church. As a portion of his volunteer efforts, he regularly shares his musical gifts with several assisted living facilities and nursing homes.