Events & Programs

We are delighted to welcome poet, translator, film critic, and actor, Cyrus Cassells to the Writers on Writing Series.

In his newest celebrated collection of poetry, Cyrus Cassells brings an unfathomable historical past to a compassionate, personal level.  Released in April of 2012, Crossed-Out Swastika is an illuminating homage to young people who endured the tragedies of World War II in Europe. The set of stories, both historical and semi-fictional, are pieced together to acknowledge human challenges and express the survivors’ tremendous bravery.  Join us in conversation to hear about Cassell’s inspiration for this unique project, his philosophy and rich experience as a writer, and insights into the creative process.

Praise for Crossed-Out Swastika:

Cyrus Cassells is a passionate poet whose poems touch the core of human connection through which can flow union with the infinite.

-- Library Journal

About Cyrus Cassells

Cyrus Cassells was born in Dover, Delaware. He grew up in the Mojave Desert north of Los Angeles, California. He is the author of four acclaimed books of poetry: The Mud Actor, Beautiful Signor, More Than Peace and Cypresses, Soul Make a Path through Shouting, for which he was nominated for the 1994 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. His fifth book, The Crossed-Out Swastika, will be released in April 2012 from Copper Canyon Press. Among his many honors are a Lannan Literary Award, a Lambda Literary, the William Carlos Williams Award, two NEA grants, and a 1995 Pushcart Prize. He is a Professor of English and teaches for the MFA writing program at Texas State University-San Marcos.