Author Jaquira Díaz Visits Colgate University
The Columbia University professor discussed her latest novel at the school's sixth Living Writers series event.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in College Life
Live Poll
Do you believe society puts unfair pressure on survivors of violence to act resilient?
Author and Columbia University professor Jaquira Díaz visited Colgate University to participate in the school's ongoing Living Writers series. She shared insights into her writing process and read from her 2025 novel, This is the Only Kingdom.
Why it matters
Díaz uses her work to critique societal expectations that survivors of violence must remain inherently brave and resilient. Her presentation highlighted how authors draw from the lives of friends and family to build complex characters.
The event marked the sixth installment of the Living Writers series at Colgate University. Díaz's novel covers the experiences of three generations of family members.
The players
Jaquira Díaz
She is a Columbia University writing professor and the author of the 2025 novel This is the Only Kingdom.
Colgate University
This private liberal arts institution in Hamilton hosts the annual Living Writers series to bring contemporary authors to campus.
The details
During her talk, Díaz read her essay titled Lucky and provided examples from her writing to demonstrate her distinct linguistic style. She emphasized the importance of character depth, explaining how she incorporates specific personality traits observed in her own friends and family into her fiction.
Timeline
Díaz published her novel This is the Only Kingdom in 2025.
The talk at Colgate University occurred on October 15, 2026.
Culture Shift
This event reflects the ongoing trend of academic institutions hosting contemporary authors to bridge the gap between creative practice and literary analysis. It follows the established pattern of the Living Writers series at Colgate University in providing students direct access to modern literary discourse.
Students and residents in Hamilton gained direct access to a professional novelist and insights into the modern publishing process. The talk offered attendees a chance to engage with contemporary literary critiques regarding violence and resilience.
The takeaway
Díaz advocates for a more nuanced understanding of trauma that moves beyond traditional tropes of resilience. Readers can implement this perspective by challenging binary narratives surrounding survivor experiences in their own community.
Further reading
For more on campus events, visit the College Life section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Colgate Maroon-News.
Live Poll
Do you believe society puts unfair pressure on survivors of violence to act resilient?
