(INDIANAPOLIS) – The expanded Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Awards, newly powered by Indiana Humanities, will launch on Oct. 21 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with special cocktails, on-demand poetry and a pop-up bookstore at a free Indianapolis Artsgarden event celebrating Hoosier writers and readers.
The public is invited to attend “Write Now: A Celebration of Indiana Literature,” where details about the expanded awards program will be revealed. The event will feature poets Adam Henze, Tony Brewer and Blaine Carrell creating new works on demand and an Indy Reads Books popup store of books by Indiana authors. Snacks, drinks and a complimentary signature cocktail or Sun King beer will be served.
Re-fashioned as biennial honors, the expanded Indiana Authors Awards also will offer author talks and writing workshops across the state, all aimed at celebrating Indiana writers, shining a light on the Hoosier literary community and deepening connections between the state’s writers and readers.
“We look forward to launching the expanded Indiana Authors Awards with an event that matches the excitement of today’s Indiana literary scene,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities. “Indiana authors are creating adventurous and surprising works, and we intend to reflect that in everything we do.”
“Write Now,” the awards and related programming are made possible through the generous support of Glick Philanthropies, which invited Indiana Humanities to re-imagine the Indiana Authors Awards and build on the successful program guided by The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation for the past 10 years.
“We’re excited to continue celebrating Indiana authors and offer more ways to showcase their award-winning work to a wider audience through Indiana Humanities’ established and expansive statewide network,” said Marianne Glick, chair of the Glick Family Foundation and daughter of Eugene and Marilyn Glick. “Our state is producing many wonderful writers, and we want to be sure they are known to Hoosier readers.”
WHAT: Write Now: A Celebration of Indiana Literature
WHEN: Oct. 21, 4-6 p.m.
WHERE: Indianapolis Artsgarden
COST: Free
RSVP: https://writenowindiana.eventbrite.com/
In addition to honoring the best books written by Indiana writers, the Indiana Author Awards – which will be awarded next in 2020 – also will encourage residents to read and recommend more works by Hoosier authors and help make them more widely known in Indiana and across the nation.
Among the new initiatives will be:
- More awards in more categories, to better honor the breadth of writing in Indiana, from fiction and nonfiction, to graphic novels and genre fiction, to poetry and drama, to books for young readers, teens and adults. Nominations for the 2020 awards will open Oct. 21.
- More opportunities for Hoosiers, especially students, to meet and interact with authors. The Novel Conversations Speakers Program, which features Indiana Authors Awards winners, will expand to include writing workshops. Applications are now open to book an author talk or writing workshop in 2020. Learn more at www.indianahumanities.org/indianaauthorsawards.
- A communications blitz after each round of awards to increase awareness and excitement among Hoosier readers. Among other things, every library in the state will receive posters, bookmarks, and other materials to create displays and programming around selected books.
- Starting in 2021, a statewide “rock star” tour, featuring one of Indiana’s high-profile literary all-stars. Over an intensive week every other fall, thousands of Hoosiers will have the opportunity to hear from a favorite writer and connect with other readers.
- A new monthly book review column, offered to newspapers around the state and posted online, that will help readers find their next great Hoosier read. Each review will be written by an Indiana author.
Full details about these changes will be announced at “Write Now.” Sign up to attend the event at https://writenowindiana.eventbrite.com/.
To keep up with the Indiana Authors Awards, including deadlines, winners and other news, Hoosiers also can sign up for the authors awards newsletter at http://www.indianahumanities.org/indianaauthorsawards and follow the Indiana Authors Awards on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About the Indiana Authors Awards
The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Awards honor the best books written by Indiana authors. Awarded every two years, they celebrate Indiana writers, shine a light on the Hoosier state’s literary community and deepen connections between Indiana writers and readers. They were established in 2009 as a vision of Eugene and Marilyn Glick and are a new component of Indiana Humanities’ rich and diverse literary programming.
About Glick Philanthropies
Glick Philanthropies is a family of charitable initiatives, programs and organizations focused on building community and creating opportunity. Together, Glick Philanthropies strives to strengthen the quality of life in central Indiana and in communities where Gene B. Glick Company properties are located to ensure that people in those local communities can reach their full potential and lead lives of dignity. Glick Philanthropies includes the Glick Family Foundation, Glick Family Housing Foundation, Glick Fund at Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), and Glick Fund at the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis (JFGI). Since 1982, Glick Philanthropies has awarded over $150 million to charitable causes and has led a transformative effort to improve education and economic opportunity on Indianapolis’ far eastside where the Gene B. Glick Company was originally headquartered. Learn more at www.glickphilanthropies.org.
About Indiana Humanities
Indiana Humanities connects people, opens minds and enriches lives by creating and facilitating programs that encourage people to think, read and talk. Learn more at www.indianahumanities.org.
