Bucks Co. Poet Featured In Wordsmiths Reading Series

NEWTOWN, PA — Bucks County Poet Lynn Fanok will read from her works on Thursday, Oct. 23 as part of the Wordsmiths Reading Series. The event begins at 12:30 p.m. in room 142 at Tyler Hall on the Newtown Township campus.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Fanok has written two poetry collections that focus on aspects of her formative years. Her first book, “Bread and Fumes,” describes her late father who survived a WWII Nazi labor camp, and explores her Ukrainian heritage and culture.

Her latest book, “The Weeds,” focuses on childhood friendships and loss, natural disasters, and restoration. Both are published by Kelsay Books. Fanok’s work has also appeared in Painted Bride Quarterly, Schuylkill Valley Journal, Red Wolf Press, Tiny Seed Journal, Gossamer Arts Literary Journal, and the poetry anthology “Carry Us to the Next Well.”

Fanok lives with her husband in Bucks County, where she has hosted a monthly poetry series at the Newtown Bookshop since 2016. She holds degrees in English from Pennsylvania State University and Arcadia University.

Professor Ethel Rackin, Ph.D., the program’s director, says the Wordsmiths Reading Series offers the community at large the opportunity to gather for an enriching, collective experience.

“We select authors who have vital new work that engages with issues of particular interest to students and the community alike,” said Rackin, who is also the author of four poetry books and a textbook on creative writing. “We pair local authors with visiting ones, and emerging authors with those of national acclaim.“

The event is part of a long tradition begun by Bucks County Community College 60 years ago to connect the community with the region’s vibrant literary heritage. Over the years, the College has hosted several literary greats, including poet Allen Ginsberg and many award-winning authors.

Funded by the College’s Cultural Affairs Committee, the Wordsmiths Reading Series continues at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 15, featuring the inaugural reading of the soon-to-be-named 2025 Bucks County Poet Laureate. The 49th laureate will be joined by preliminary judge, poet Nicole Greaves, outgoing laureate Lake Angela, and runners-up in the annual contest.

To learn more, visit bucks.edu/wordsmiths or contact the School of Language & Literature at langandlit@bucks.edu or 215-968-8150. Bucks County Community College is located at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown 18940, where there is ample free parking. For a campus map and directions, visit bucks.edu/newtown.