Indiana authors to speak around the state as part of Novel Conversations Speakers Program (2016)

Seven Indiana authors will speak at more than 20 cities and towns over the next few months as part of a statewide speakers program. Indiana Humanities awarded funds to 22 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, 2016.

“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:

Adrian Matejka, 2015 Regional Author Winner

• Arts Illiana, Terre Haute
• Franklin Central High School, Indianapolis
• Johnson County Public Library, Franklin

Bill Kenley, 2016 Emerging Author Finalist

• Avon High School, Avon
• Bristol-Washington Public Library, Bristol
• Franklin County High School, Brookville

Edward Kelsey Moore, 2016 Emerging Author Finalist

• Bremen Public Library, Bremen
• Creston Middle School, Indianapolis
• Michigan City Public Library, Michigan City
• Westchester Public Library, Chesterton

Sarah Gerkensmeyer, 2016 Emerging Author Winner

• Corpus Christi School, Evansville
• Muncie Public Library, Muncie

Michael Shelden, 2014 National Author Winner

• Hancock Public Library, Greenfield
• Washington Carnegie Public Library, Washington

Philip Gulley, 2016 Regional Author Winner

• Jasper Public Library, Jasper
• Melton Public Library, French Lick
• New Albany-Floyd County Public Library, New Albany
• Walton/Tipton Township Public Library, Walton

Laura Bates, 2015 Emerging Author Finalist

• The Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel
• Rockville Correctional Facility, Rockville
• Danville Public Library, Danville
• Wabash College, Crawfordsville

The Novel Conversations Speakers Program takes its name from Indiana Humanities’ Novel Conversations program, a free statewide lending library offering sets of books, primarily fiction and biographies, to reading and discussion groups at libraries, community centers, schools and other locations throughout the state. The Novel Conversations library includes 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.