We love working with every type of library—school, public, academic and special—and the librarians whose hard work brings resources, research, and the next big book right to their readers. Our roster includes dozens of speakers to engage your audiences, from literary stars to young adult and children’s favorites, story-breaking journalists, and more. We work with library staff throughout the entire process of picking the perfect speaker for their events – taking into account budget, schedule, and location. We also love to assist with the selection of titles for community, school, or city-wide Community Reads.
Below, we’ve picked a few speakers who are perfect for library audiences. For more ideas and suggestions, we invite you to peruse our online brochure.
Questions? Contact us for more information on the popular speakers below, or for special programming ideas for your library.
New Speaker
Caro Claire Burke is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Yesteryear, a gripping and electrifying debut novel that blends satire, psychological suspense, and social commentary. In the novel, a seemingly perfect “tradwife” influencer awakens in a nightmarish version of 1855, forcing her to confront the realities behind the idyllic life she has carefully curated for millions of followers. Drawing on her viral cultural and political commentary, Burke examines the performance of femininity in the age of social media and the blurred lines between authenticity and curated spectacle.
Highly Anticipated
The first person to win back-to-back Pulitzer Prizes in fiction for consecutive works, The Underground Railroad, and The Nickel Boys, Colson Whitehead has dazzled readers across the globe and established himself as one of the most versatile and innovative writers in contemporary literature. His Harlem Trilogy follows the life of Ray Carney—a furniture salesman turned crook—as he navigates the criminal underworld of New York City in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. The final installment, Cool Machine, publishes in July 2026.
New Library Favorites
Patrick Ryan is the acclaimed author of the New York Times-bestselling novel and Read With Jenna pick, Buckeye. In his warm, engaging talks, Ryan explores history, identity, and imagination, leaving audiences inspired to see their own stories with fresh clarity and meaning.
In Isaac Fitzgerald’s bestselling book American Rambler, he sets out on a year-long journey, exploring the enduring spirit of the United States through the lens of the legendary Johnny Appleseed. A dynamic presence onstage, Fitzgerald’s programs weave together humor and raw honesty to address themes of resilience and community, loss and grief, wonder and faith, and the myths that have shaped American life.
Annabel Monaghan is the New York Times-bestselling author of romance novels like Summer Romance, Nora Goes Off Script, and Good Morning America Book Club pick Dolly All The Time. An uplifting speaker, Monaghan talks to audiences about motherhood, the writing process, and more, while empowering women to find their voice and speak up in their lives.
Soman Chainani is the New York Times-bestselling author of global phenomenon, The School for Good and Evil. His new YA geopolitical thriller, Young World, poses the question: What happens when the future truly belongs to the young? Chainani is a charismatic and empowering speaker who inspires audiences of all ages to tap into their creativity and embrace the transformative power of storytelling.
New Books in 2026
Richard Russo is one of America’s most beloved authors. A Pulitzer Prize-winning storyteller, he is known for his rich characters and pitch-perfect portrayals of small-town America. As a keynote speaker, Russo brings humor and heart to the stage, offering audiences a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process and how the idea of “home” has shaped his work. His newest work, Under the Falls, publishes in August.
Gary Shteyngart is the author of critically acclaimed novels, including Super Sad True Love Story and his New York Times-bestselling memoir, Little Failure. Off the page, Shteyngart is a masterful storyteller who wins over audiences with his blistering humor and compassionate examinations of modern love and life. The Sensualist, forthcoming in Fall 2026, is his first collection of personal essays.
A powerful and widely celebrated voice in contemporary literature, Haitian-American bestselling author Edwidge Danticat has written numerous award-winning books—ranging from adult fiction to children’s and young adult literature to memoir, essays, travel narrative, and literary criticism. Her upcoming novel, Dèy, a profoundly warm and moving novel about the importance not only of sharing grief but also of an inseparable family tie.
Emily St. John Mandel is the author of several critically acclaimed novels, including Station Eleven, The Glass Hotel, and Sea of Tranquility. Her upcoming novel, Exit Party, has been hailed as “A glittering puzzle box of a novel. . . . [her] best novel since Station Eleven, a cause for rejoicing among her fans and an inspiration for newbies to dive into the backlist” (Kirkus).
Out Now in Paperback
Percival Everett has established himself as one of the most inventive and incisive writers in contemporary American literature. Hailed as a “literary icon” (Oprah Daily), he has written more than thirty books—including novels, poetry, and short story collections—including James, winner of the National Book Award for Fiction and the Pulitzer Prize. A thought-provoking speaker, Everett lectures on the power of literature to change the way we see the world and the unique influences that inspire us to create art.
A “publishing powerhouse” (TIME) Taylor Jenkins Reid is the New York Times-bestselling author and screenwriter of multiple addictively-readable books. She writes and speaks candidly about women’s issues, relationships, and her ambitious writing process. Set against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program, Atmosphere, her latest novel and a GMA book club pick, is fast-paced, thrilling, and emotional.
Maggie Stiefvater is the New York Times-bestselling author of dozens of YA fantasy novels, which have sold over five million copies around the world. Her first adult novel, The Listeners, is a mesmerizing portrait of an irresistible heroine, an unlikely romance, and a hotel in peril, set during World War II. In engaging and funny talks that feel more like an energetic performance than a lecture, Stiefvater speaks to audiences about her writing process and deepening our understanding of ourselves and others.
Ocean Vuong is the author of the New York Times-bestselling novel On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, as well as the critically acclaimed poetry collections Night Sky with Exit Wounds and Time is a Mother. His newest work, the instant New York Times bestseller The Emperor of Gladness, was chosen for Oprah’s Book Club. Adored by the literary community and college campuses alike, Vuong’s events are thoughtful and engaging discussions of his equally brilliant works.