Book Markers: 08.08.13

Mark Doty on “Writer’s Almanac”

    Mark Doty, the Springs poet who won a National Book Award in 2008 for his collection “Fire to Fire,” will have one of his poems, “In the Community Garden,” read on Saturday on American Public Media’s “The Writer’s Almanac,” given voice weekly and richly by Garrison Keillor of “Prairie Home Companion” fame. It can be heard locally on WPPB 88.3 FM.

    The day is, by program tradition, Mr. Doty’s birthday.

Cuba Si, College . . . Also Si

    Just as the Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church’s regular outreach entourage returns from Cuba, Stony Brook Southampton is announcing its own, albeit writerly, mission there. The college’s M.F.A. program in writing and literature is offering a Cuba writing workshop in January, in which participants will “spend eight days in one of the most coveted cities in the Caribbean” — Old Havana — studying the essay with Robert Reeves, a novelist, professor, and associate provost.

    Excursions to museums and a cigar factory, among other places, are part of the deal. The deadline to apply is Sept. 7. Information about applications, costs, and housing is at stonybrook.edu/southampton/mfa/winter.