The 48th annual Old Dominion University Literary Festival took place October 5-10 with the theme “Suspend Your Disbelief.” Showcasing the work of accomplished novelists, essayists, humorists and poets, this week-long exploration celebrated innovation and creativity beyond the printed page. Photos by Sam McDonald, Julian Robbins, Chuck Thomas and Michael DiBari/ODU
2025 Edith and Forrest P. White Writer-in-Residence Lauren Oyler, whose book of essays “No Judgment” was published by HarperOne, speaks at University Theatre. Photo Julian Robbins/ODU
“The Great Filipino American ASWANG Pageant” is a play that offers a lighthearted approach to folklore. Photo Michael DiBari/ODU
Gregory Grosvenor, who earned an MFA at Old Dominion University, is among the alumni who read works at the festival. Photo Michael DiBari/ODU
Kristen Renee Miller, director and editor-in-chief of Kentucky-based Sarabande Books, leads a workshop at the mpark makerspace in the Batten Arts and Letters Building. Photo Michael DiBari/ODU
Crystal Wilkinson, former Kentucky poet laureate and author of “Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts,” leads a free writing workshop at the Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries. Her seminar coincided with the exhibition “River of Earth: Meaning and Material in Self-Taught Art from Appalachia.” Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Kindra McDonald Greene leads a workshop titled “Poetry and Nature: Poets Explore the Outdoors” as part of the festival. Writers found inspiration at the Lambert’s Point Open Space next to campus. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Princess Joy L. Perry, master lecturer at Old Dominion University, is the author of “This Here is Love,” which was praised earlier this year in a review in The New York Times. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Poetry and jazz intersect in a performance by writer Tim Seibles and bass player Chris Brydge. Seibles is a former Virginia poet laureate and retired Old Dominion University English professor. Brydge, an accomplished jazz musician, is a former student of Seibles. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
“What We Ask of Flesh” mixes the award-winning poetry of Old Dominion University’s Remica Bingham-Risher with dance, live music and media projection. Bringing the performance to Norfolk was a years-long effort. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Festival co-directors Marianne Chan and John McManus pose with original artwork created for the festival by Sarah R. Glaser, Old Dominion University’s program manager for the arts. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Princess Joy L. Perry, master lecturer at Old Dominion University and author of “This Here is Love,” signs a copy of her book and interacts with fans. Photo Sam McDonald/ODU
2025 Edith and Forrest P. White Writer-in-Residence Lauren Oyler, whose book of essays “No Judgment” was published by HarperOne, speaks at University Theatre. Photo Julian Robbins/ODU
“The Great Filipino American ASWANG Pageant” is a play that offers a lighthearted approach to folklore. Photo Michael DiBari/ODU
Gregory Grosvenor, who earned an MFA at Old Dominion University, is among the alumni who read works at the festival. Photo Michael DiBari/ODU
Kristen Renee Miller, director and editor-in-chief of Kentucky-based Sarabande Books, leads a workshop at the mpark makerspace in the Batten Arts and Letters Building. Photo Michael DiBari/ODU
Crystal Wilkinson, former Kentucky poet laureate and author of “Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts,” leads a free writing workshop at the Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries. Her seminar coincided with the exhibition “River of Earth: Meaning and Material in Self-Taught Art from Appalachia.” Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Kindra McDonald Greene leads a workshop titled “Poetry and Nature: Poets Explore the Outdoors” as part of the festival. Writers found inspiration at the Lambert’s Point Open Space next to campus. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Princess Joy L. Perry, master lecturer at Old Dominion University, is the author of “This Here is Love,” which was praised earlier this year in a review in The New York Times. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Poetry and jazz intersect in a performance by writer Tim Seibles and bass player Chris Brydge. Seibles is a former Virginia poet laureate and retired Old Dominion University English professor. Brydge, an accomplished jazz musician, is a former student of Seibles. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
“What We Ask of Flesh” mixes the award-winning poetry of Old Dominion University’s Remica Bingham-Risher with dance, live music and media projection. Bringing the performance to Norfolk was a years-long effort. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Festival co-directors Marianne Chan and John McManus pose with original artwork created for the festival by Sarah R. Glaser, Old Dominion University’s program manager for the arts. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Princess Joy L. Perry, master lecturer at Old Dominion University and author of “This Here is Love,” signs a copy of her book and interacts with fans. Photo Sam McDonald/ODU