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October 2004 marked the publication by the University of Texas Press of the children's book Wiley's Way, a collaborative effort of participants in the Katherine Anne Porter Young Writers Program of the Katherine Anne Porter Literary Center in Kyle, Texas. The book recounts the adventures of Wiley the crab that lead him to the campus of a university. While there, he meets characters who inspire him to change his future prospects by attending college himself one day. Part of the College for Texans Campaign to motivate 300,000 more students to enroll in college by 2015, Wiley's Way is a unique collaboration. This bilingual chapter book, targeted at 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, was written and illustrated by twelve high school students from the Academy@Hays of the Hays Consolidated Independent School District: Bliss Blumenthal, Leticia Gammage, Samantha Garza, Ricky Gonzalez, Katy Johnson, Alex Mattis, Maria Mendoza, Wendy Moran, Samantha Owens, Kim Torres, Angel Saucedo, and Johnna Vessey. The students were guided by Michelle Detorie and Alexandra Yavorksy, MFA students from the Creative Writing Program at Texas State University. Funded by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the College for All Texans Foundation, Wiley's Way is designed to prompt children, especially those who might not otherwise aspire to a college education, to begin thinking about college at an earlier age. Since Wiley's character was created and developed by teenage students, he has a unique appeal and resonance for younger readers. Wiley's Way demystifies the college experience. The KAP Writers Program, which began in summer 2002, is generously sponsored by the Burdine Johnson Foundation. Additional information on the KAP Young Writers Program can be found at http://www.english.txstate.edu:16080/kap/.

In addition to serving as a home for the KAP Young Writers Program, the Katherine Anne Porter Literary Center at 508 Center Street in Kyle serves as a venue for readings and talks by visiting writers, a museum, and a home for writers-in-residence. Writers who appeared at the seminar house for readings and books signings in the 2004-2005 academic year included Barry Hannah, Heather McHugh, Dao Strom, Charles D'Ambrosio, Richard Ford, and Spencer Reese. The schedule for readings and talks for the 2005-2006 academic year includes Denis Johnson, Mary Powell, John Dufresne, Aimee Bender, Abraham Verghese, and Adam Zagajewski. Of special interest to members of the KAP Society is the event scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2006, at 7:30 pm; Darlene Unrue will discuss the writing of Katherine Anne Porter: The Life of An Artist. Matt Oates continued to serve as Writer-in-Residence at the KAP House in 2004-2005; Michelle Detorie assumed that position in the 2005-2006 academic year. Funded by a grant from Curt Englehorn's "Angel" Foundation, the Writer-in-Residence lives in the house and acts as curator of the museum. The visiting writers series is funded by the Burdine Johnson Foundation.

The Katherine Anne Porter Literary Center is open to visitors and school groups by appointment. To arrange a visit, call (512) 268-6637. Updated Katherine Anne Porter Literary Center information appears at http://www.english.txstate.edu:16080/kap. Inquiries concerning Texas State's MFA in Creative Writing can be made through the program's Web site (http://mfa.english.txstate.edu/), via email at mfinearts@txstate.edu, or by phone at (512) 245-7681.