Author Matt Bell will visit Point Loma Nazarene University as part of the 2nd Annual M.A in Writing Visiting Writers Series on November 13, 2024.
Matt Bell is the author most recently of the novel Appleseed, a New York Times Notable Book, and the craft book Refuse to Be Done, a guide to novel writing, rewriting, and revision. He is also the author of the novels Scrapper and In the House Upon the Dirt Between the Lake and the Woods, as well as the short story collection A Tree or a Person or a Wall, a nonfiction book about the classic video game Baldur’s Gate II, and several other titles. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Esquire, Tin House, Fairy Tale Review, American Short Fiction, Orion, and many other publications.
Bell’s latest novel Appleseed tells the story of two brothers in 18th-century Ohio who travel into the wooded frontier, planting apple orchards from which they plan to profit in the years to come. As they remake the wilderness in their own image, planning for a future of settlement and civilization, the long-held bonds and secrets between the two will be tested, fractured and broken—and possibly healed. The book was named a Best Book of the Summer by The New York Times, was on the Indies Next Pick List in August 2021, and was Amazon Book of the Month in July 2021.
Reviewer Adrienne Westenfield from Esquire calls the book a “gripping meditation on manifest destiny and humanity’s relationship to this endangered planet, making for a breathtaking novel of ideas unlike anything you’ve ever read.”
Bell’s 2022 craft book Refuse to Be Done is what Poets & Writers calls an “inspiring yet pragmatic guide to writing a novel,” focusing on specific rewriting tasks, techniques, and activities to guide you through the first page of the first draft of your novel to the finished book.
In addition to his work as an author, Bell teaches creative writing at Arizona State University. During his visit to PLNU, Bell will conduct a 3 p.m. craft lecture and writing workshop and a 7 p.m. evening reading. The 3 p.m. lecture/workshop is free; all are welcome to observe the discussion. The 7pm reading will feature Bell’s work and a book signing to follow courtesy of La Playa Books. Cost for the evening reading is $10 for general admission and $5 for PLNU staff, students, and faculty.
Purchase tickets below and log in using your PLNU credentials to receive the PLNU rate.