UMass Lowell’s Kerouac Writer-in-Residence Steve Almond will be hosting a talk and book signing .

The event will be held on South Campus in O’Leary Library Room 222 on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. and is open to students and the public alike. Copies of Almond’s books will be on sale.

Steve Almond is best known for his short stories and essays and has published over 10 books in his career as an author. Among his most famous works are the novel “Candyfreak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America,” the Paterson Prize-winning story collection “God Bless America,” and his most recent essay “Against Football: One Fan’s Reluctant Manifesto.” He also co-hosts a podcast called “Dear Sugar” with the memoirist Cheryl Strayed.

On the subject of why Almond was considered and ultimately chosen for this position, Maureen Stanton, the coordinator of his visit, said, “Steve clearly rose to the top both for his accomplishments in publishing…[and] the quality of his writing and his stature nationally.”

For this semester, Almond was chosen to teach a class here at UMass Lowell, and given the title of Kerouac Writer-in-Residence, named after the famous Lowell native and renowned author Jack Kerouac. The work of Kerouac inspired Almond; in fact, Almond said, “Kerouac broke open language in a way that enthralled me when I was younger. He also managed to convince me that one could be incredibly lyric and conversational while also writing an old-fashioned story.”

Almond has been impressed by UMass Lowell’s students and faculty alike and has really enjoyed teaching creative non-fiction so far. “I’ve been blown away by the work the students are producing in class. And their overall intelligence and sensitivity,” he said.

When asked how he would convince an unwilling student to attend his event, Almond said, “I will pay them one million dollars and give them a ride on Donald Trump’s helicopter. Oh, also, I’ll read something that will make them laugh, or make them furious for a week. Maybe both.”