Toi Derricotte is the author of two books of poetry, The Empress of the Death House and Natural Birth. Of her work, one reviewer said: "Good news to men and women alike: the poet offers us all a metaphor in which to see reflected our common experience of fear, pain, struggle, and ecstasy." Another added, "she grips the reader. This is powerful, an experience that separates all before from all after." Toi Derricotte teaches creative writing at Old Dominion University.

Toi Derricotte will read from her poetry at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 6, in the Newport News Room of Webb Center. [excerpted from the 1988 brochure]

11th Annual Literary Festival

13th Annual Literary Festival