The Hope College Visiting Writers Series will present memoirist Amy Fusselman and GLCA winner Mary Szybist on Wednesday, April 20, at 7 p.m. in the Knickerbocker Theater.

The public is invited. Admission is free.

Amy Fusselman published her first book, "The Pharmacist's Mate," in 2001. She submitted the manuscript for her memoir to "McSweeny's" in their contest for a book about electrical engineering on boats. Although Fusselman's book is only loosely associated with the topic, it won the competition. The book has been honored for its rawness and distinctive voice.

"It is a brief miracle of a book," said fellow memoirist Dave Eggers.

Mary Szybist is this year's Great Lakes College Association New Writer's Award winner for her collection of poetry, "Granted." As the recipient of this award, she delivers readings at all 12 schools in the GLCA. Her poems have a mystical voice juxtaposed with the plainness of everyday objects and images.

"It is these small passages, these arrivals, which detail the inaccurate promises and chosen solitudes that give 'Granted' its often unsettling brilliance," said the "New Orleans Review."

The reading will be preceded by a performance by the Hope College Jazz Ensemble beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The Knickerbocker Theater is located at 86 E. 8th St. in downtown Holland.