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

More than 25 cities and towns will host 12 Indiana authors over the next few months as part of a statewide speakers program. Indiana Humanities awarded funds to 29 nonprofit…

More than 25 cities and towns will host 12 Indiana authors over the next few months as part of a statewide speakers program. Indiana Humanities awarded funds to 29 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 2019.

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

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

  • Blue River Valley Jr. Sr. High School, New Castle (Author: Lori Rader-Day)
  • Book Arts Collaborative, Muncie (Author: Lori Rader-Day)
  • Bremen Public Library, Bremen (Author: Bill Kenley)
  • Crichfield Elementary School, LaPorte (Author: Sandy Eisenberg Sasso)
  • Earl Park–Richland Township Public Library, Earl Park (Author: John David Anderson)
  • Fairmount Public Library, Fairmount (Author: Ray Boomhower)
  • Fortville-Vernon Township Public Library, Fortville (Author: Philip Gulley)
  • Franklin Central High School, Indianapolis (Author: Adrian Matejka)
  • Greentown Public Library, Greentown (Author: Ray Boomhower)
  • Hammond Public Library, Hammond (Author: Azareen Van Der Vliet Oloomi)
  • Hancock County Public Library, Greenfield (Author: Philip Gulley)
  • Horizons at St. Richard’s Episcopal School, Indianapolis (Author: Adrian Matejka)
  • Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library, Zionsville (Author: Lori Rader-Day)
  • Jackson County Public Library, Seymour (Author: Lori Rader-Day)
  • Janus Developmental Services, Inc., Noblesville (Author: Sarah Gerkensmeyer)
  • Johnson Christian Village, Bedford (Author: Michael Sheldon)
  • LaGrange County Public Library, LaGrange (Author: Bill Kenley)
  • Meredith Nicholson Elementary School 96, Indianapolis (Author: Sandy Eisenberg Sasso)
  • Michigan City Area Schools, Michigan City (Author: Bill Kenley)
  • Monticello-Union Township Public Library, Monticello (Author: Ray Boomhower)
  • Our Lady of Lourdes, Indianapolis (Author: Sarah Gerkensmeyer)
  • Paoli Public Library, Paoli (Author: Philip Gulley)
  • Pike County Public Library, Petersburg (Author: Sarah Gerkensmeyer)
  • Syracuse Public Library, Syracuse (Author: Ray Boomhower)
  • Union City Public Library, Union City (Author: Bryan Furuness)
  • Vigo County Public Library, Terre Haute (Authors: John David Anderson, Adrian Matejka)
  • Washington Community Schools, Washington (Author: John David Anderson)
  • Westfield Washington Public Library, Westfield (Author: Edward Kelsey Moore)

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 our Novel Conversations page.