Indiana authors to speak around the state as part of Novel Conversations Speakers Program

More than 25 cities and towns will host 11 Indiana authors over the next few months as part of a statewide speakers program. Indiana Humanities awarded funds to 27 nonprofit organizations to bring an award-winning Indiana author to their community to speak to a public audience as part of the Novel Conversations Speakers Program.

The program, open to public libraries, schools, churches, museums, community centers and other nonprofit organizations, was funded by a grant from The Glick Fund, a fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation. Awardees were matched with authors that are current and past recipients of the Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award. Speaking events will take place through June 2018.

“We’re so thankful for this partnership and the opportunity to provide readers from across Indiana access to some of our most talented authors,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities. “The generous support from The Glick Fund allows more Hoosiers to connect with impactful literature and thoughtful conversations.”

The authors, along with the selected organizations and cities, include:

• Barker Mansion, Michigan City (Author: Michael Shelden)
• Bartholomew County Public Library, Columbus (Author: Adrian Matejka)
• Barton Rees Pogue Memorial Library, Upland (Author: Philip Gulley)
• Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center, Indianapolis (Author: Francesca Zappia)
• Boston Middle School, La Porte (Author: Edward Kelsey Moore)
• Brick Street Poetry, Beech Grove (Author: Adrian Matejka)
• Delphi Public Library, Delphi (Author: John David Anderson)
• Dubois Branch Library, Dubois (Author: Laura Bates)
• Fairmount Public Library, Fairmount (Author: Philip Gulley)
• Franklin County Public Library, Brookville (Author: Lori Rader-Day)
• Greenfield-Central Community Corporation, Greenfield (Author: John David Anderson)
• Hamilton East Public Library, Fishers (Author: Adrian Matejka)
• Huntington City Township Public Library, Huntington (Author: Lori Rader-Day)
• J.W. Riley High School, South Bend (Author: Bill Kenley)
• Jasper Public Library, Jasper (Author: Laura Bates)
• Johnson County Public Library, Franklin (Author: Edward Kelsey Moore)
• Marion Public Library, Marion (Author: Philip Gulley)
• Middlebury Community Public Library, Middlebury (Author: Philip Gulley)
• New Albany–Floyd County Public Library, New Albany (Author: John David Anderson)
• Oakland City Columbia Township Public Library, Oakland City (Author: Philip Gulley)
• Osgood Public Library, Osgood (Author: Lori Rader-Day)
• Owen County Public Library, Spencer (Author: Sarah Gerkensmeyer)
• Roachdale Public Library, Roachdale (Author: Bill Kenley)
• Southmont High School, Crawfordsville (Author: Francesca Zappia)
• Stephen Foster Elementary School, Indianapolis (Author: John David Anderson)
• Walton and Tipton Township Public Library, Walton (Author: Laura Bates)
• Washington Carnegie Public Library, Washington (Author: Bryan Furuness)

In addition to paying the speakers’ fees, Indiana Humanities will provide participating organizations with resources such as a communications toolkit, press release template and event banner. Participating organizations are responsible for working with authors to schedule engagements and cover any travel expenses. Author events must be completed by June 30, 2018.

Indiana Humanities’ Novel Conversations program is a free statewide lending library offering sets of books, primarily fiction and biographies, to reading and discussion groups at libraries, senior centers, schools and other places throughout the state. Indiana Humanities makes available 600 titles by more than 500 authors, approximately 45 of whom are Hoosiers. All of the authors taking part in this year’s speakers program are represented in the Novel Conversations library.

Any Indiana resident with a book club can participate in Novel Conversations for free. Books are shipped via the Indiana State Library’s INfo Express service to libraries around the state, or picked up and returned at Indiana Humanities’ headquarters in Indianapolis. Residents of areas outside library districts may be eligible for free direct shipping. All books must be reserved in advance online by visiting www.indianahumanities.org/novelconversations.