The National Book Foundation returns to Sam Houston State University for an annual celebration of National Book Award–honored authors. Derrick Barnes (The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze, 2025 Young People’s Literature Longlister; Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice, 2022 Young People’s Literature Finalist), Esther Lin (Cold Thief Place, 2025 Poetry Longlister), and Sam Sax (Yr Dead, 2024 Fiction Longlister) will gather for readings and conversation on the meaning of individuality, community, and artmaking across fiction, poetry, and young people’s literature.

Moderated by Giuseppe Taurino, writer, editor, and Executive Director of Inprint.

Presented in partnership with Sam Houston State University, and sponsored by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the MFA Program in Creative Writing, Editing, and Publishing.