September 9, 2004 SELINSGROVE, (Pa.) – Gary Fincke, professor of English and creative writing and director of The Writers’ Institute at Susquehanna University, will be reading from his recently published book Amp’d: A Father’s Backstage Pass at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 9 in Isaacs Auditorium of Seibert Hall. The reading is free and open to the public. The reading will be followed by a book signing at Waldenbooks in the Susquehanna Valley Mall, Selinsgrove, at noon Saturday, Sept. 18. The book follows Fincke’s son, Aaron, as he navigates the waters of the music world from winning MTV’s Ultimate Cover Band Competition with the band “Strangers With Candy” to being signed by Universal in the band “Lifer” and then signed a second time as part of “Breaking Benjamin” by Hollywood Records. Through his experiences attending 60 shows, hanging out backstage, following the bands on national tours, and conversing with other band members and fans, Fincke creates a literary narrative that gives an inside look at celebrity, success and family. The single So Cold, which is being played in every major market in the country, has put “Breaking Benjamin” at the top of the Active Rock and Alternative Rock charts. Their CD, We Are Not Alone, opened at number 20 in sales and has been in the Top 50 for more than two months, selling nearly 300,000 copies since its release in late June. “Breaking Benjamin” toured with the multi-platinum band “Evanescence” this summer and is now on a headlining club tour which included recent appearances on late night’s Conan O’Brien and Carson Daly shows. Following favorable reviews in Entertainment Weekly and Library Journal and praise by such renowned authors as Tom Perrotta, Professor Fincke is embarking on his own tour – one that will take him to bookstores throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Following book signings at Borders in Harrisburg on Wednesday, Sept. 8 and at Susquehanna University for a Sept. 9 reading, Fincke will travel to Lancaster Borders for a book signing at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16. On Thursday, Sept. 23, Fincke will travel to Wilkes-Barre for a 7 p.m. book signing at Barnes and Nobles. Fincke has published 17 books of poetry and short fiction, including Writing Letters for the Blind, a collection of poems which won the 2003 Ohio State University Press/The Journal Book Award. His collection of stories, Sorry I Worried You, which won the 2003 Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction, is scheduled for publication in October. Additional accolades bestowed on Fincke include the Bess Hokin Prize from Poetry Magazine, the Rose Lefcowitz Prize from Poet Lore, a PEN Syndicated Fiction Prize, as well as seven fellowships for creative writing from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, including one this year for creative nonfiction. Contact: Victoria Kidd 570-372-4119 #vk#0390#