Columbus Metropolitan Library's Carnegie series brings noted authors to town
Looking at its roster of bestselling writers — which includes a Pulitzer Prize winner — it's not an overstatement to call Columbus Metropolitan Library's annual author series a bibliophile's wildest dream.
The Carnegie Author Series, returning for its eighth year to the main branch at 96 S. Grant Ave., offers up-close-and-personal encounters with acclaimed wordsmiths for readers of every stripe, from history hounds to fantasy fanatics.
The series began in 2017, following the 2016 transformation of the main library and the addition of the building’s Reading Room, where the events take place.
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"This beautifully lit space, lined with two stories of windowed walls overlooking Topiary Park, can accommodate roughly 600 people and regularly does during our author events," media specialist Ben Zenitsky said.
Bringing celebrated scribes to Columbus each year happens through the efforts of a committee of library staff members who meet to discuss multi-genre authors they feel would most appeal to readers, Zenitsky explained. They then reach out to the writers' representatives to determine their availability.
This year, their teamwork resulted in the following lineup:
Brendan Slocumb, Feb. 18
A musician and educator named to Who’s Who of American teachers and honored as Nobel Teacher of distinction, Slocumb has published two novels, "The Violin Conspiracy" and "Symphony of Secrets," and is working on a third. The New York Times described him as a "maestro of musical mystery." (Registration for this event is open now at columbuslibrary.org/special-events.
Rebecca Yarros, April 7
Yarros is best-known for the "Empyrean" fantasy book series, which debuted last April with "Fourth Wing," a New York Times bestseller for the past seven months. Its follow-up, "Iron Flame," released in November 2023, also is currently on the New York Times' list. (Registration opens Feb. 18.)
Lisa Scottoline, May 19
This New York Times bestselling author has penned 35 novels including her latest, "Loyalty," written book reviews for major newspapers, and taught a course she developed, “Justice and Fiction,” at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, her alma mater. "Chick Wit," her weekly column written with her daughter Francesca Serritella, has run in the Philadelphia Inquirer for 15 years, as well as at scottoline.com/chick-wit. (Registration opens April 7.)
Abby Jimenez, Sept. 8
Jimenez is author of the New York Times list-makers, "Life's Too Short," "Part of Your World," and "Yours Truly!" She also founded a bakery, Nadia Cakes, out of her home kitchen that has gone on to win several Food Network competitions and draw an international following. (Registration opens July 21.)
Stephen Graham Jones, Oct. 6
With more than 30 novels and 350 stories, plus comic books and more to his name, Jones is a New York Times bestselling author of fiction, including experimental, horror, crime and sci-fi. A member of the Blackfeet Nation, his most well-known works include "The Only Good Indians," "My Heart is a Chainsaw," and "Night of the Mannequins." (Registration opens July 21.)
Matthew Desmond, Dec. 8
Winner of a Pulitzer Prize for "Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City," Desmond launched his New York Times No. 1 bestseller at a Gramercy Books of Bexley event in 2023. The Princeton University sociology professor's research centers on focuses on poverty in the U.S. city life, housing insecurity, public policy, racial inequality, and ethnography. (Registration opens Oct. 6.)
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The Carnegie programs are not hit-and-run events where the authors talk, then walk. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with them
"(They) stick around to sign books after their talks," Zenitsky said. "And in addition to having their books on hand for checkout, our Friends of the Library also offers them for purchase."
All of the author events are free, but tickets are required for seating. Registration details will be shared in the weeks leading up to each program at columbuslibrary.org/special-events.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus library's author series hosts talks by bestselling writers
