The Lions in Winter literary event will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday in the Lecture Hall of the Doudna Fine Arts Center.

The event is an annual reading series that features new and emerging writers.

Jami Attenberg will read from her third novel, “The Middlesteins,” Friday, followed by emerging writers Jason Koo, Alissa Nutting and Ryan Van Meter at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Roxane Gay, an English professor and one of the event organizers, said the English department chose writers who are exciting and have strong book projects.

According to Attenberg’s website, “The Middlesteins” is about “a Midwestern family (that) seeks hope and love even in the face of heartbreak and loss.”

Also according to her website, she has written about a variety of topics including sex, technology, design, television and urban life.

Van Meter will be reading an essay from his collection titled, “If You Knew Then What I Know Now,” which is a chronicle of his coming-of-age story as well as his coming-out experience.

Van Meter said he began writing the story during a creative writing class in college.

Throughout the writing experience, he said he has learned to put himself in the shoes of others in order to understand their points of view.

“I am looking forward to the festival, and it sounds like there are going to be a lot of people who are really excited about writing and reading,” Van Meter said. “That is a really encouraging and inspiring crowd.”

Gay said Van Meter is an amazing non-fiction writer.

Nutting will read from her recent novel titled “Tampa.”

“Tampa,” which debuted in 2013, features a young middle school teacher in Florida who recalls her experience seducing a 14-year-old student.

Jason Koo, author of “America’s Favorite Poem,” and “Man on Extremely Small Island,” is another writer who will read Saturday.

“Koo is a beautiful writer,” Gay said.

Gay said the authors were chosen because they are all good readers who can hold the audience’s attention.

She said the department hopes to create a strong literary community at Eastern and will enjoy having these authors around for a few days.

Van Meter said he is looking forward to seeing people he has not seen in a long time.

“Being around good writers makes you want to be a better writer,” he said.

Gay said the Department of English and the College of Arts and Humanities, as well as the Doudna Fine Arts Center New and Emerging Artists Series program sponsor the event.

She said that registration is not required and the readings are free for Eastern students and open to the public.

Dominique DeWeese can be reached at 581-2812 or dedeweese@eiu.edu.