Author Cheryl Strayed discusses her experience hiking more than 1,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail – a trip that inspired her New York Times bestselling memoir, “Wild” – during a talk at the Moss Arts Center on Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Presented in partnership with Virginia Tech’s Department of English Visiting Writers Series, “A WILD Life” will be held in the Moss Arts Center’s Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre, located within the Street and Davis Performance Hall at 190 Alumni Mall.

At the age of 22, Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered, and her own marriage was soon destroyed. With no experience or training and driven only by blind will, she would take to the Pacific Crest Trail, traveling over 1,000 miles alone.

Strayed describes this trek in her book, “Wild,” which was the basis of the Oscar-nominated movie of the same name starring Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern.

The author will discuss what she learned about how to bear the unbearable, how to move from grief and anger to acceptance, and how to keep walking even when it seems impossible to stand.

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Strayed is the author of the New York Times bestsellers “Tiny Beautiful Things” and “Brave Enough,” as well as the novel “Torch.” Her essays have been published in “The Best American Essays,” the New York Times, Washington Post Magazine, and Vogue. She is the co-host of WBUR’s hit podcast “Dear Sugar Radio” with Steve Almond.

This program is supported in part by a gift from Donna Mitchell.

Immediately following the event, Strayed will be available in the Moss Arts Center’s Grand Lobby for a book-signing event. Her books will be available for purchase.

In conjunction with her visit, the author will also lead a free craft talk, where she will discuss her approach to writing and engage in an informal question-and-answer session. Registration for the craft talk is currently full.

Tickets

Tickets for the “A WILD Life” are $25 for general admission and $10 for students and youth 18 and under. Tickets can be purchased online; at the Moss Arts Center's box office, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; or by calling 540-231-5300 during box office hours.

Parking is available in the North End Parking Garage on Turner Street. Virginia Tech faculty and staff possessing a valid Virginia Tech parking permit can enter and exit the garage free of charge. Limited street parking is also available. Parking on Alumni Mall is free on weekdays after 5 p.m. and on weekends.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Kacy McAllister at 540-231-5300 or email kmcallis@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to an event.

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