WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — West Liberty University’s Dean of the College of Liberal and Creative Arts, Cecilia Konchar Farr, Ph.D., will host a book launch event in Pittsburgh this week celebrating her latest literary work and contributions to modernist scholarship.

The event, titled “Gertrude Stein Party,” will take place on Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m. at White Whale Bookstore in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The event will also be accessible virtually.  

Konchar Farr’s newest work, As I Was Saying…, serves as a companion reader to Gertrude Stein’s The Making of Americans, offering readers insight and guidance into one of the most ambitious works of modernist literature.  

Stein’s The Making of Americans is recognized as a foundational text in literary modernism, completed prior to the publication of works by James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and William Faulkner, yet often considered one of the most challenging novels for contemporary readers.  

“As I Was Saying…” aims to make Stein’s work more accessible to modern audiences while preserving its depth and innovation.

“Gertrude Stein’s work is as important as any in the modernist canon, but it can feel overwhelming to readers approaching it for the first time,” said Konchar Farr. “This project is about opening that door, giving readers a way in, and helping them experience the richness of Stein’s language and ideas in a more approachable way.”

Konchar Farr, Professor of English at West Liberty University, has long been recognized for her scholarship in modernist literature and her commitment to advancing literary studies through teaching, research, and public engagement.

The May 7 event will feature a reading, discussion, and celebration of both Stein’s work and Konchar Farr’s new publication. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information about the event, visit White Whale Bookstore’s website.

West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students’ aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. To apply or learn more about West Liberty University, visit westliberty.edu.

Media Contact:
Rhone Thrash
West Liberty University
rhone.thrash@westliberty.edu