Authorama Returns (with a Few New Twists)

Harris County Public Library’s popular end-of-summer virtual book festival will feature in-person author talks for the first time and will go year-round with Authorama365 

HCPL announced its slate of author talks for the expanded 2022 edition of its Authorama series. This year, for the first time, Authorama will feature in-person appearances by two nationally known authors with ties to the Houston area, in addition to virtual visits. Award-winning poet Van G. Garrett will host story times featuring his debut children’s picture book, Kicks, and Young Adult author J. Elle will share her unique and inspirational path to the New York Times bestseller list. On the virtual side, Authorama will live stream appearances by Preeti Chhibber, super fan and author of Disney’s new release Spider-Man's Social Dilemma, the duo who make up the pseudonymous fantasy author M.A. Carrick (The Mask of Mirrors, The Liar’s Knot), and novelist, children’s book author and Houston’s first poet laureate Gwendolyn Zepeda who will discuss her work editing the acclaimed anthology Houston Noir. 

Expanding in Scope, but Staying True to its Roots 

HCPL’s Authorama was born during the depths of the pandemic out of the library’s need to provide compelling and entertaining content for audiences stuck at home. This year, HCPL’s Authorama is pivoting to a mix of virtual and in-person author talks. “We really wanted to put these authors inside our libraries to give audiences a chance to meet and interact with them in person,” says Jennifer Schwartz, Programming Services Manager for HCPL, “but our past Authorama virtual events have been wildly successful and have the potential to reach more people. Authorama 2022 is the best of both worlds.” 

Authorama Goes Year-Round with Authorama365 

Coinciding with the end-of-summer Authorama events, HCPL is launching a new partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium (LSC) called Authorama365. Authorama365 will bring bestselling authors and thought leaders to readers all year long. “Because LSC has many library partners across the country, it is able bring in authors who might not be accessible to individual libraries,” says Schwartz, “They book a wonderful mix of bestselling fiction writers and writers who will appeal to entrepreneurs and businesspeople who are looking for thought-provoking, actionable insight to grow their careers and businesses.” Authorama365 events are online and free to the public. Audience members can submit questions to the authors prior to the livestreams, and can browse and watch past events at any time at https://libraryc.org/hcpl 

Van G. Garrett

J. Elle

Kicks: A Special Story Time with Author Van G. Garrett - Award-winning poet Van G. Garrett will read from his debut children’s picture book, Kicks. 

An Afternoon with J. Elle - YA Author J. Elle will talk about the second book in her Wings of Ebony series, Ashes of Gold, and share her improbable and inspiring journey to the bestseller list. 

Maud Smith Marks Branch Library 
Thursday, July 28, 4:30 PM 

Alyc Helms & Marie Brennan (M.A. Carrick

Preeti Chhibber

Gwendolyn Zepeda

Authors’ Insight with Alyc Helms & Marie Brennan – Two amazing writers who together make up the bestselling pseudonymous fantasy author M. A. Carrick (The Mask of Mirrors, The Liars Knot). They will join the HCPL Writes crew to discuss their writing process, collaboration and more. 

YouTube and Facebook Live: @harriscountypl 
Tuesday, July 26, 6:30 PM  

Preeti Chhibber in Conversation with Samira Ahmed - Preeti and Samira will talk about fandom and their books: Preeti is the author of the just-released Spider-Man’s Social Dilemma and the Avengers Assembly series, X-Change Students 101 coming in September. Samira is the author of the YA novel Amira & Hamza: The War to Save the Worlds. Q&A follows.  

YouTube and Facebook Live: @harriscountypl 
Live Viewing Party: La Porte Branch Library 
Monday, August 1, 3:00 PM 

Gwendolyn Zepeda on Anthologies - HCPL Writes takes a deep dive into anthologies. Learn what they are and how they work from Gwen Zepeda, novelist, children's book author, and Houston's first poet laureate, as well as editor of the acclaimed anthology Houston Noir.  

YouTube and Facebook Live: @harriscountypl 
Tuesday, August 9 at 6:30 PM 

Click or tap an image for more information and free registration.

Dr. Marcia Chatelain

Liz Moore

Michele Harper

Liz Wiseman

All Authorama365 programs are free. Visit https://libraryc.org/hcpl for more information, to register and to view more upcoming events. 

Dr. Marcia Chatelain, Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America - An invigorating discourse of scholarship and cultural history with Dr. Marcia Chatelain as she discusses her Pulitzer prize-winning book, Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America.  

Wednesday, August 3, 1:00 PM 

Liz Moore, Long Bright River - An enthralling evening with New York Times Bestselling author Liz Moore as she discusses her international bestseller, Long Bright River, and her other works. 

Tuesday, August 9, 8:00 PM 

Dr. Michele Harper, The Beauty in Breaking: A Memoir - An enlightening discussion with Dr. Michele Harper as she highlights the lessons learned on her inspiring personal journey of discovery and self-reflection as written in her New York Times Best Selling memoir. 

Monday, August 22, 8:00 PM 

Liz Wiseman, Impact Players: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger, and Multiply Your Impact - Join us as we sit down in conversation with Liz Wiseman, New York Times Best Selling author, researcher, and executive adviser as she showcases her latest book Impact Players: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger and Multiply Your Impact and discusses why some people break through and make an impact while others get stuck going through the motions. 

Thursday, August 25, 11:00 AM