Each semester, Southeastern Louisiana University’s English Department invites one author to share their work with the students. The selections range from fiction to nonfiction, and poetry to prose. A large portion of the English classes read the chosen work, and English Department faculty members host a series of lectures offering insight into the book in the weeks leading up to the main event. The Common Read offers a unique experience for students to engage with the author and their work when the author visits campus. The night the author visits, students can participate in lectures and ask the author questions about their book. Some of the previous authors to come to Southeastern are Tracy K. Smith, Yusef Komunyakaa, Richard Ford, Jess Walter, Claire Vaye Watkins, and Jill McCorkle.