SUNY Canton Living Writers Series to Host Acclaimed Author Soma Mei Sheng Frazier Sept. 26

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Soma Mei Sheng FrazierThe SUNY Canton Living Writers Series kicks off the fall semester with an author whose debut novel about a Chinese American Ivy League dropout turned private chauffeur has earned praise from The New York Timesand San Francisco Chronicle.

Soma Mei Sheng Frazier will speak at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 in Payson Hall Room 219 and read excerpts from “Off the Books,” which was released earlier this year to high acclaim.

The story’s protagonist is Mei Brown, a twenty-something who has decided to leave Dartmouth and earn a living as a professional driver. When a mysterious client hires her to drive him from San Francisco to Syracuse, she is intent on finding out his secret.

“‘Off the Books’ is a wildly fun and suspenseful cross-country tale that delves deeply into the human condition at the crossroads of contemporary politics. All are invited to attend a lively reading of Soma Mei Sheng Frazier’s work, followed by a Q&A session,” said Living Writers Series creator and Associate Professor Phil K. LaMarche.

Frazier’s essays and interviews have appeared in People Magazine, Electric Literature and Literary Hub. Her poems and stories have earned numerous awards and accolades, including a nomination for the Pushcart Prize. Her screenplays have earned nods from HBO, Screencraft, Bluecat and the International Screenwriters Association. 

Frazier was previously a San Francisco Library Laureate before her current position as an associate professor at SUNY Oswego, where she teaches digital storytelling, fiction writing and screenwriting.

The event is free and open to the public. View the Living Writers Series website for more information and a listing of previous speakers.

About SUNY Canton

Discover SUNY Canton, where innovation meets opportunity. The college’s career-focused educational programs emphasize hands-on and applied learning opportunities in digital design, engineering technology, health, information technology, management, public service, and veterinary technology. Faculty members bring real-world experience and exceptional academic expertise to the classroom. As a leader in online education, SUNY Canton offers unmatched flexibility with hundreds of courses and 22 comprehensive degree programs offered completely online. The SUNY Canton Kangaroos compete at the NCAA Division III level and are members of the SUNYAC. In addition to its 15 traditional teams, SUNY Canton offers coed varsity esports and cheerleading.