Trafford authors to deliver talk on their literary work, small-town upbringing

Trafford authors Lori Jakiela and Dave Newman will give a talk on April 3 about the influence of their small towns on their literary works.

The married couple live in Trafford, Jakiela’s hometown. Newman grew up in Irwin. They will read excerpts of their work before delivering their talks. A reception and book signing will follow.

The event is free. It will take place at 7 p.m. at the Trafford Borough Building’s Manchester Room, located at 414 Brinton Ave.

Recipient of multiple Golden Quill Awards from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania, Jakiela has written eight books. Her memoir “Belief Is Its Own Kind of Truth, Maybe” received the Saroyan Prize from Stanford University, and her latest work, “All Skate: True Stories from Middle Life,” was released in March.

Newman has published nine books, including poetry collection “Better Than the Best American Poetry” and story collection “She Throws Herself Forward to Stop the Fall.” His collection “The Slaughterhouse Poems,” published in 2013, was named one of the best books of the year by L Magazine.

Both authors have appeared in a PBS documentary of Pittsburgh writers by Rick Sebak.

Jakiela directs the undergraduate writing program at University of Pittsburgh’s Greensburg campus and teaches in the doctoral program at The Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Newman teaches courses in Pitt-Greensburg’s creative and professional writing program.