Lynch To Speak on Island Aug. 4

American Book Award-winning author Thomas Lynch will speak twice on Mackinac Island Wednesday, August 4. He will be the guest lecturer at Jim Lenfestey's poetry class at Grand Hotel from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. The class meets at the Audubon Wine Bar in the hotel lobby, and the public is invited. Mr. Lynch will recite and discuss from the long Anglo-Irish tradition of funeral odes. Mr. Lenfestey said that Mr. Lynch's visit is a “great coup” for Mackinac Island.

At 4 p.m., Mr. Lynch will speak at the Mackinac Island Public Library. He will read from his first book of fiction “Apparition and Late Fictions,” which is an acclaimed collection of short stories. His book will be for sale at each event, and he will sign copies.

Mr. Lynch will publish his newest collection of poems, “Walking Papers,” this year. He is the author of three earlier poetry collections, including the Knopf Poetry Series winner “Skating with Heather Grace.” He has also authored three books of essays. “The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade” won the American Book Award and was a finalist for the National Book Award. Mr. Lynch works as a funeral director in Milford.