The Fountain

Davis Schneiderman is on campus today. Anything can happen. 

Schneiderman is a writer, critic, multimedia artist and English professor known for his aggressive style. He once published a book with a sandpaper cover so it would damage other books on the shelf. He made one YouTube video of himself cutting a book in half with a handsaw and another of him boiling several novels to make noodles. At a writer’s conference last year in Chicago, he invited the audience to “deconstruct” his novels with scissors and markers. 

Schneiderman is here today as part of the Artist-in-Residence program. He is usually classified as a postmodern experimental writer. He teaches English at Lake Forest College near Chicago and also is chairman of the American Studies program there. He has published three novels with a fourth scheduled for release later this year. 

Schneiderman will read from his work at 7:30 p.m. today in Room 102 of the Lewis Science Center. He will sign copies of his books afterward. 

Davis Scheiderman

“Davis Schneiderman is the best reader on the planet,” according to Mark Spitzer, assistant professor of writing. “When the dead hear him reading an experimental poem, they roll around in their coffins laughing their heads off.” 

Schneiderman will teach two classes Wednesday. The 1 p.m. class in advanced poetry includes “writing games.” The 2 p.m. class will interview him and compile the questions and answers into an article that will be published. All students are invited to attend the classes.