We are thrilled to bring you the latest in literary events that have caught our attention. These events encompass a range of free and ticketed registration and are not affiliated with AWP. All times are in ET.

Tuesday, May 10

8 p.m.– Politics and Prose Live presents Rachel M. Harper’s novel The Other Mother with Kiese Laymon. The Other Mother explores the intersections of race, class, and sexuality, as well as biology, and what it means to be a family. The event will take place online via Zoom, and registration is free. *

Saturday, May 14

1 p.m.– Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month by checking out the Art Outside: Hometown Zine Project, an in-person event sponsored by the Asian American Art Museum! This event will take place at Haupt Garden at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. Create your own zine with a collage of text and images. Registration on Eventbrite is free! *

10 a.m.– The first ever Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books will be coming to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this May. One highlighted session will include Emmy, Tony, and Golden Globe nominated singer and actor Billy Porter, presenting at Kelly Strayhorn Theater. All other author sessions will be free to the public but require registration. Other presenting authors include Toi Derricotte, Jan Beatty, and Rachel Kallem Whitman, among many others.

Sunday, May 15

3 p.m.– Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with Immigration Stories of Asian American Women: Here is Happiness, a virtual program hosted by the Asian Art Museum. Storytellers Alton Takiyama-Chung, Eleanor Clement Glass, and Janet Liu come together to tell stories of diverse immigrant experiences. The event will take place online via Zoom, and registration is free. *

Monday, May 16

8 p.m.– Politics and Prose Live, the Harvard Bookstore, and Books and Books present Maggie Shipstead’s You Have a Friend in 10A. Join New York Times best-selling author Maggie Shipstead for a reading and author talk. The event will take place online via Zoom, and registration is free! *

Tuesday, May 17

8 p.m.–  Politics and Prose Live, in partnership with Books & Books and the Harvard Bookstore, presents Uncertain Ground with Kori Schake! Phil Klay’s Uncertain Ground is a series of musings and reckonings about the divide between military and civilian American life. His novel focuses on the rough, concerning life-or-death questions that young Americans in the military must consider. Kori Schake, professor, senior fellow, and director of foreign and defense policy at the American Enterprise Institute will join Klay in exploring these questions through conversation and discussion. This event will take place online, and registration is free. *

Wednesday, May 18

7 p.m.–  Join East City Bookshop in welcoming author Jennifer Dugan for the launch of her new book Melt With You, featuring conversation with writing pair Alyson Derrick and Rachael Lippincott. Melt With You is a YA rom-com about two girls who take a summer road trip in an ice cream truck. Will the once best friends be able to put aside their differences and reunite? Registration is free, and the event will take place online. *

6 p.m. – Lost City Books presents Girl Online by Joanna Walsh with guest Mckenzie Wark! Girl Online: A User Manual grapples with the idea of what it means to be a woman online in today’s society. At the most basic level, a user of internet platforms is what is being used. Walsh explores privacy, data accumulation, user consent, and the online selves which women are encouraged to create. Walsh also capitalizes on the commodification of youth and the domestic, professional, and emotional labor-intensive gritty background of working as an influencer and blogger. This event is free to attend and will take place via Zoom. *

Friday, May 20

6 p.m.– The National Youth Poet Laureate Commencement will take place at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts located in Washington, D.C. This performance will feature the four regional winners and National Youth Poet Laureate Finalists. Seating is first come, first served.

1 p.m.–  Politics and Poetry Live presents Elise Broach’s Duet. Join Politics and Prose Live in welcoming author Elise Broach and her YA novel Duet. In this work, a goldfinch befriends a boy taking piano lessons, and soon unfolds a mystery surrounding music, art, and treasure. The event will take place online with free registration. *

May 20-23

The Santa Fe Literary Festival will take place from May 20 through May 23 in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. The festival features various readings, panels, book signings, and unique events such as meditations, walking tours, and even the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal while listening to leading chefs and food writers. Individual event tickets, day tickets, and VIP access tickets will all be available for purchase.

Saturday, May 21

10 a.m.– The Gaithersburg Book Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The festival attracts hundreds of award-winning authors, poets, and songwriters annually. Featured authors include Eden Appiah-Kubi, Amy Argetsinger, Ada Ari, and Jabari Asim. There will be signings, workshops, readings, and more available to attendees. Did we mention that attendance is free?

May 21-22

8 a.m.–  Short Story Fest  is an online literary festival that celebrates short stories. The festival features workshops, performances, readings, and special events. In past years, the event has been held in person in Baltimore, Maryland. The 2022 Short Story Fest will be livestreamed online. Featured speakers include Mark Craemer, Hank Wallace, and Mildred Stokes. See their schedule of events for more information. *

Wednesday, May 25

7:30 p.m.– Join Greenlight for the much-anticipated launch of Candice Iloh’s second novel Break This House. This novel deals with the effects of grief, gentrification, and addiction as Yahminah, the novel’s protagonist, navigates the bridge between her past and present self. Acclaimed author Ibi Zoboi will be in attendance to to spark conversation and answer audience questions. This event will take place via Zoom. *

** All events with an astericks are available to watch online.