I am trying to imagine what a conversation might be between Claudia Rankine and Marilynne Robinson. Two brilliant women, successful writers, deep thinkers. What would they talk about? Go and see! They will be in conversation at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Minnesota's Ted Mann Concert Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 19.

Their appearance is part of the impressive lineup of writers who will come to the U this fall for the UMN English Writers Series.

The series begins Sept. 28, when Nami Mun will read at 7 p.m. at the Weisman Art Museum. Mun has received a Whiting Award, a Pushcart Prize, and the Hopwood Award. Her first novel, "Miles from Nowhere," is about a Korean immigrant named Joon who becomes homeless in the Bronx.

Next up is Simone Muench on Oct. 5. She will read at 7 pm. at the Weisman. Muench is a poet, the author of five collections, including "The Air Lost in Breathing," which won the Marianne Moore Prize for Poetry, and "Lampblack & Ash," winner of the Kathryn A. Morton Prize for Poetry.

Rankine and Robinson will be in conversation on Oct. 19. Rankine is the author of "Citizen: An American Lyric," published by Graywolf Press and the first book to be named a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist in two categories (poetry and criticism). (It won in poetry.) Robinson is the author of four novels and has won a Pultizer Prize, the Orange Prize and two NBCC awards.

The final writer is Mark Slouka, who will read at the Weisman at 7 p.m. on Nov. 9. Slouka writes both fiction and nonfiction. His memoir, "Nobody's Son," will be published in October; it follows the lives of his parents, who escaped the Nazis and Communism in Czechoslovakia.

Claudia Rankine. Star Tribune photo by Aaron Lavinksy.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, follow them on facebook at www.facebook.com/UMNEng