In Print begins virtual season
In Print Houston’s Margarett Root Brown Reading Series began last week very quietly and virtually with an appearance by Yaa Gyasi. Gyasi read from “Transcendent Kingdom,” her new novel, followed by a conversation between her and author Wayétu Moore.
The event was a most unusual beginning to In Print’s annual series, which is celebrating its 40th year. The Margarett Root Brown series has for years brought some of the best writers in the world to Houston for readings and discussions of their work. The coronavirus pandemic has muted some of the fanfare for the event, even though it opens up the series to book enthusiasts around the world. Ten authors have been confirmed so far for the 202021 season, including Margaret Atwood, who will read from “Dearly,” a new collection of poems, on Nov. 14.
In Print’s season will also include an event with Viet Thanh Nguyen, whose “The Committed” is among the most anticipated novels of 2021. His “The Sympathizer,” published in 2015, won the Pulitzer Prize. He’ll read from his new book on April 12. Another Pulitzer winner, poet Jericho Brown, will be the season’s final reader on April 26. Brown is a former professor at the
University of Houston, where he earned his Ph.D. He won a Pulitzer for his 2019 collection “The Tradition.”
Other authors making In Print appearances this year: Marilynne Robinson on Oct. 5; Julia Alvarez and Sigrid Nunez on Oct. 12; Nick Hornby on Nov. 8;
Lily King and Chang-Rae Lee on Feb. 22.
The full lineup can be found at InPrintHouston.org. The site also has information on 40th anniversary ticket packages. Individual event passes remain $5, though the Robinson event ($30) and the Atwood event ($27.99) bear higher prices that also include a copy of the author’s latest book.
All events will include a short reading followed by a conversation with the featured author. In Print remains open to hosting its two April authors — Brown and Nguyen — for live and virtual events should conditions allow them to be held safely.