Eggers Will Kick Off 2010 One Book, One Community Program on Aug. 29

10-202
Aug. 23, 2010

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Community members can meet acclaimed author Dave Eggers, author of “Zeitoun,” as he kicks off the 2010 One Book, One Community (OBOC) program with a special visit to the East Lansing-Michigan State University community Aug 29-30.

Eggers’ visit will mark the fifth-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the deadliest hurricanes in the history of the U.S. and the backdrop of Eggers’ bestselling book. “Zeitoun” tells the true story of one man’s struggle to survive in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina amidst the chaos that overtook New Orleans.

Dave Eggers is the author of six previous books including, “The Wild Things,” “What Is the What” and “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.” He also wrote the screenplay for “Where the Wild Things Are” and “Away We Go” and is the founder and editor of “McSweeney's” magazine, an independent publishing house based in San Francisco.

There are a number of opportunities for community members to catch Eggers’ visit to East Lansing:

-    Meet Dave Eggers in person at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 29 at the East Lansing High School auditorium, 509 Burcham Drive. Admission to the kickoff is FREE and attendees will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m.

-    Eggers will speak to incoming MSU students on Monday, Aug. 30 at 9 a.m. at the Breslin Student Events Center. It’s free and open to the public.

-    Eggers’ Aug. 29 visit will be recorded and rerun on East Lansing’s government channel, Channel 22 (WELG). Air times will be Sundays and Mondays at noon and 8 p.m. from Sept. 5-27.

-    The recording of Eggers’ Aug. 29 visit will also be made available to borrow at the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road, beginning Friday, Sept. 3.

Note to Media:
The media is encouraged to attend the kickoff on Sunday, Aug. 29 at the East Lansing High School auditorium. There will be numerous photo/footage opportunities. Media does not need to stand in line for the program. A volunteer will escort media into the auditorium.

Visit www.onebookeastlansing.com to learn more about the month-long program.