Lincroft, NJ –Brookdale’s acclaimed Visiting Writers Series will host four spring events with the first opening presentation Thursday, February 16 featuring readings by poets James Hoch and Ravi Shankar.

Prior to teaching, James Hoch was a dishwasher, cook, dockworker, social worker and shepherd. His poems have appeared in Slate, Kenyon Review, Gettysburg, Ninth Letter, Carolina Quarterly, Virginia Quarterly Review and many others. They have been nominated many times for the Pushcart Prize.

He is the recipient of fellowships and scholarships from Bread Loaf, Sewanee, and Summer Literary Seminars, and received a 2007 NEA grant as well as a grant from the PA Council on the Arts. Miscreants will be published by WW Norton in June, 2007. A Parade of Hands won the Gerald Cable Award and was published in March 2003 by Silverfish Review Press.

Originally from Collingswood, NJ, he resides in Mahwah, NJ with his wife and son. He has taught at Franklin and Marshall College and Lynchburg College. Currently, he teaches at Ramapo College of NJ.

Ravi Shankar is founding editor and executive director of Drunken Boat, an international online journal of the arts. He has written and edited seven books and chapbooks of poetry, including the National Poetry Review Prize winning "Deepening Groove."

With Tina Chang and Nathalie Handal, Shankar edited W.W. Norton’s "Language for a New Century: Contemporary Poetry from Asia, the Middle East & Beyond." Recipient of a Pushcart Prize, he has appeared in The New York Times, BBC and NPR, and has read his work around the world. He is on the faculty of CCSU and the first international MFA program at City University of Hong Kong.

The Visiting Writers Series presentations feature a complimentary coffee and biscotti bar. The event is free; $3 donation is suggested for the Brookdale Community College Creative Writing Club. The monies are used to underwrite educational field trips for students. The Office of Student Life and Activities, and the Creative Writing Club co-sponsor the Series.

Additional Spring Visiting Writers Events will be held March 5, April 3 & 24. For more specific information regarding the Series, contact Suzanne Parker at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 732-224-2650.