Ep74. Why Read Fiction? Jedidiah Evans

I sat down with Jedidiah Evans, associate lecturer in writing studies at Sydney University, to talk about what can happen when we read fiction. We discuss reading as forming friendships, how it shapes the way we see the world and ourselves, and freeing ourselves from "must read" lists. We then go on to talk about Jed's work on carceral writing - writing both by and about incarcerated people - and what he hopes this can achieve in closing gaps between what we assume happens in prison and what is actually happening. We also discuss the collaborative, inmate-run writing programs he is currently working on and developing within NSW correctional facilities. Finally we end with a discussion on his book, Look Abroad, Angel: Thomas Wolfe and the Geographies of Longing (out now with University of Georgia Press, https://ugapress.org/book/97808203564...​)

Jedidiah Evans joined the University of Sydney as an Associate Lecturer in Writing Studies in 2019. He previously held Lecturer positions at the University of Wollongong, as well as working across various other teaching roles at the University of Sydney, the University of Wollongong, and Australian Catholic University. He has published on the work of Southern novelist Thomas Wolfe, as well as on trends in higher education. His current research focuses on carceral writing—writing both by and about incarcerated people—and he is involved with correctional facilities in NSW developing collaborative, inmate-run writing projects.

This episode is also available as a podcast, search Love Rinse Repeat wherever you get podcasts or on Spotify.

Find more: www.loverinserepeat.com

Follow the Show: @RinseRepeatPod // Follow me @liammiller87