Hoosier writers to speak around the state and offer writing workshops

INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 18, 2019)—Forty organizations will host Indiana authors during 2020 as part of a statewide speakers bureau and writing workshop program offered through the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Awards. 

Indiana Humanities, the new engine behind the Indiana Authors Awards, selected the hosts and provides support for award-winning Indiana authors to travel the state to speak to public audiences. The programs, open to public libraries, schools, churches, museums, community centers and other nonprofit organizations, are funded through the support of Glick Philanthropies.  

Seven organizations will host writing workshops led by Indiana writers. The workshops, which are open to the public, are a new feature of the Indiana Authors Awards.  

“We’re 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 Glick Philanthropies allows more Hoosier readers to engage with impactful literature and thoughtful conversations.” 

Dates, times and other details for the author talks and writing workshops will be announced later. Watch for more information at www.indianaauthorsawards.org/calendar

Organizations hosting author talks are:  

  • Argos Public Library, Argos (Author: Mike Mullin)  
  • Arsenal Technical High School, Indianapolis (Author: Bill Kenley)  
  • Avon Middle School South, Avon (Author: Mike Mullin)
  • Bartholomew County Public Library, Columbus (Author: Barbara Shoup)  
  • Blue River Valley Jr. Sr. High School, New Castle (Author: Adrian Matejka)  
  • Fairmount Public Library, Fairmount (Author: Lori Rader-Day)  
  • Franklin College, Franklin (Author: Adrian Matejka)  
  • Franklin County Public Library District, Brookville (Author: Bryan Furuness)
  • Greensburg-Decatur County Contractual Public Library, Greensburg (Author: Michael Shelden)  
  • Hammond Public Library, Hammond (Author: Edward Kelsey Moore)  
  • Janus Developmental Services, Inc., Noblesville (Author: Bryan Furuness)  
  • Jefferson County Public Library, Madison (Author: Lori Rader-Day)  
  • Johnson Christian Village, Bedford (Author: Ray Boomhower)  
  • Lawrence North High School, Indianapolis (Author: Kelsey Timmerman)  
  • MCCSC Community Transitions, Bloomington (Author: Sarah Gerkensmeyer)
  • Meredith Nicholson School 96, Indianapolis (Author: John David Anderson)  
  • Middlebury Community Public Library, Middlebury (Author: John David Anderson)  
  • Mollie B. Hoover Elementary, Crawfordsville (Author: Bill Kenley)  
  • Monticello-Union Township Public Library, Monticello (Author: Sarah Gerkensmeyer)  
  • Newport Vermillion County Public Library, Newport (Author: John David Anderson)  
  • Orange County Service Council, Paoli (Author: Lori Rader-Day)  
  • Orleans Public Library, Orleans (Author: Philip Gulley)  
  • Osgood Public Library, Osgood (Author: Barbara Shoup)  
  • Peabody Public Library, Columbia City (Author: Kelsey Timmerman)  
  • Putnam County Public Library, Greencastle (Author: Susan Neville)
  • Sycamore Rehabilitation Services, Danville (Author: Sarah Gerkensmeyer)  
  • Union City Public Library, Union City (Author: Barbara Shoup)  
  • Wabash College Lilly Library, Crawfordsville (Author: Susan Neville)  
  • Western School Corporation, Russiaville (Author: Mike Mullin)  
  • Westfield Washington Public Library, Westfield (Author: Bryan Furuness) 

Groups hosting writing workshops are:  

  • Bremen Public Library, Bremen (Author: Callista Buchen)  
  • Brownsburg Public Library, Brownsburg (Author: Larry Sweazy)  
  • Calumet College of St. Joseph, Whiting (Author: Bryan Furuness)
  • Chautauqua in the Dunes, Valparaiso (Author: Lucrecia Guerrero)  
  • Franklin County High School, Brookville (Author: Saundra Mitchell)  
  • Jackson County Public Library, Seymour (Author: Jean Harper)  
  • Marion Public Library, Marion (Author: Shari Wagner)

A new slate of Indiana Authors Award winners will be announced in 2020. Nominations are due Jan. 6 for awards that will recognize the best books published by Hoosiers in 2018 and 2019.  

Awards will be given in 10 categories, including fiction, nonfiction, genre, children’s, young adult, poetry, drama and emerging author. Awards also will be given in the categories of “Literary Champion” and “Lifetime Achievement.” 

 Full nomination guidelines and eligibility criteria can be found at www.indianaauthorsawards.org

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. Learn more at www.indianaauthorsawards.org

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