Novelist and Literary Editor of The Times newspaper Erica Wagner will visit the University of Glasgow on 15 May 2007 to discuss her experience of the literary world both as critic and author.

As Literary Editor Wagner has interviewed writers ranging from Seamus Heaney to Philip Pullman, Paul Auster to Bill Bryson, as well as editing the Books section of The Times and regularly writing reviews for The New York Times. However, her extensive knowledge of the literary world is also drawn from her own experience as a successful published author, known on both sides of the Atlantic.

Her short stories have been widely anthologised and her published collection, Gravity: Stories, was broadcast on Radio 4. Taking as its focus the fragile architecture of human relationships, Wagner builds on this theme in her first novel, Seizure, which was listed in Eve Magazine as April's 'must-read'.

Following the publication of Ted Hughes' Birthday Letters, Wagner wrote a biographical gloss on his work, Ariel's Gift: Ted Hughes, Sylvia Plath and the Story of Birthday Letters.

Wagner has also judged many literary prizes including the Man Booker in 2002, the Orange Prize, the Whitbread First Novel Award and the Forward Prize.

The talk will take place at 5.30pm on 15 May 2007 in Seminar Room 2, Wolfson Medical Building, University Avenue. The event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Wendy Burt at seslladmin@arts.gla.ac.uk

Kate Richardson (K.Richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk)

Journalists are invited to the event. If you plan to attend or for more information please contact Kate Richardson at the University's Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3683 or email K.Richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk

First published: 13 May 2007