Bibliophiles and writers rejoice — St. Edward’s University is hosting its first Literary Arts Festival.

The festival’s activities run March 31-April 2 and include readings from students, faculty and visiting writers. Students may also attend faculty-run writing workshops.

In addition, the festival will celebrate the release of the Sigma Tau Delta Southwestern Region Literary Arts Journal, The Open Ear of the Universe.

Sigma Tau Delta is the International English Honor Society, and the St. Edward’s chapter is focused on literary awareness on campus.

Junior Sam Trevino, whose works will be published in The Open Ear, is looking forward to the festival.

“St. Ed’s has so many talented and impassioned writers in our creative writing program and outside of it. I’m really excited for that writing to be read and more widely appreciated,” Trevino said.

The schedule kicks off Thursday with a Visiting Writers series presentation by poet Matthew Dickman.

Featured writers in the festival include Trey Moore, Bradley Strahan, David Thompson, David Bates, Justin Wade Thompson, Elizabeth Crane and Carrie Fountain. There will also be a presentation from the Austin Poetry Society.

Lectures include the following: poetry with Bro. George Klawitter, creative non-fiction with Professor Catherine Rainwater, playwriting with Professor Tim Braun and fiction with Professor Doug Dorst. An open mic session will close out the festivities.

“I hope…[the festival] will continue into the future, and I think that outside support from Austin Poetry Society, in addition to all of the engaging presenters, will help make that happen,” Trevino said.

A detailed schedule can be found on “The First Annual St. Edward’s Literary Arts Festival” Facebook event page.

The event is free and open to the public.