Sufjan Stevens to speak on meaningful writing

Having exercised his literary credentials earlier this year by whipping up an intro for the latest Dave Eggers-edited Best American Nonrequired Reading, soft-singing indie heartthrob Sufjan Stevens plans to speak at New York City’s PENultimate Lit event on Nov. 28. At some point accompanied by veteran British singer/songwriter and Pushcart prize-nominated novelist John Wesley Harding, presumably not during his presentation since it’s difficult to lend an ear to two booksmart musicians at once, Stevens will attack the subject of “What Makes Writing Matter in the 21st Century?”

Perhaps Stevens will suggest authors give their works a regional focus, thereby at least winning the fanship of those in said locale. Illinois, for example, or the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Commissioned by the Brooklyn Academy of Music to create a music and film piece about the route, “The BQE” will make its debut Nov. 1 at the Next Wave Festival. Hopefully, New York City drivers will finally have a special tune that will cause them to take pause from attacking each other with hammers, and recognize their commuting brotherhood.

Speaking of nonliteral family relations, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity have featured Stevens’ “All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands” as their October vocation meditation. Reading, driving, meditating. Three opportunities to make your day a Sufjan day.

Got news tips for Paste? Email news@pastemagazine.com.