Jordan Ifueko, an acclaimed novelist and short story writer, will read from her work at the University of Lynchburg at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, in Hall Campus Center’s Memorial Ballroom. This event is free and open to the public.

Ifueko is the author of the “Raybearer” series, which is set in a secondary world that’s based on the author’s Nigerian heritage and knowledge of West African culture.

Ifueko will hold a book signing after the event. In addition to her reading, she will also visit Dr. Aubrey Plourde’s English class, where she will meet and talk with students.

“We are so lucky to host Jordan Ifueko,” Plourde said. “The students in my Children’s Literature class will be reading her novel ‘Raybearer,’ the first in one of the more exciting young adult series I’ve read in years. 

“Based on West African folklore, the novels in this series play with the genre of high fantasy — fans of ‘Harry Potter’ will recognize some of the hallmarks of the genre — while also centering a postcolonial perspective. 

“I nominated Ifueko as one of our Thornton writers because I consider her work both highly enjoyable and culturally important.”

This event is made possible by the Richard H. Thornton Endowment, which brings established writers to campus each semester. Visiting writers do a public reading or lecture, and oftentimes they meet with creative writing students for classes or workshops.

For more information about this visit or future Thornton readings, contact Jer Bryant ’03, ’10 MA at [email protected].