Connecticut icon and best-selling author Wally Lamb will visit Eastern Connecticut State University on March 9 for a lecture titled "Connecticut on My Mind," as well as a reception and book signing. The author of such books as "The Hour I First Believed," "She's Come Undone" and "I Know This Much Is True" will speak in the Concert Hall of the Fine Arts Instructional Center (FAIC) at 5:30 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session. A reception and book signing will take place in the FAIC foyer from 7-8 p.m. Earlier that afternoon, Lamb will conduct a workshop with Eastern students.

The lecture will also livestream on the University's YouTube channel at 5:30 p.m. on March 9, and be recorded for later viewing. To view the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/c/easternconnecticutstateuniversityvideo .

Lamb will sign copies of "I Know This Much Is True," a Connecticut story of twin brothers and mental illness that is now an HBO mini-series starring Mark Ruffalo. Lamb will also sign copies of "I'll Fly Away" and "Couldn't Keep It to Myself," two collections of essays he edited by women inmates at York Correctional Institute. For 20 years, Lamb volunteered at the correctional facility, conducting a writers' workshop for inmates seeking to tell their personal stories and reclaim their lives.

No stranger to Eastern, Lamb was the 2002 Commencement speaker and has returned to campus for other book readings. Six of his novels have made the New York Times Best-Sellers list. His writings have also been featured on Oprah's Book Club and translated into 28 languages. His work at York Correctional Institute was the focus of a 2004 segment on CBS's "60 Minutes."

Lamb's visit is in coordination with Eastern's "Big Read" program to present stories and bring writers to campus who focus on themes of human interconnectedness. The Big Read is a national initiative sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and Arts Midwest to encourage community reading of books that highlight important social topics. Eastern has participated in the Big Read for several years, partnering with 30 local and Connecticut libraries, as well as nonprofits and other organizations, to share book reading experiences on cultural, social and artistic issues facing humanity.