Thursday, August 26th at 7:00 PM ET | 6:00 PM CT: PBS Books presents this Author Talk with Kelli Jo Ford about her book Crooked Hallelujah.
In collaboration with WTTW, PBS Books is honored to host this virtual engagement event with author Kelli Jo Ford on August 26th as part of our dynamic, sequel partnership with The Library of Congress for the 2021 Library of Congress National Book Festival “Open a Book, Open the World.” The conversation will be moderated by Melodi Serna, Executive Director of the American Indian Center in Chicago. In addition, Allison Waukau, an American Indian Library Association Executive Board member, will join to ask a few questions, as well.
After a successful partnership with The Library of Congress last year, this second series of virtual author talks with legendary authors of our time will center on this year’s theme: “Open a Book, Open the World.” The 2021 LOC Festival will be a 10-day event, held from September 17-26, 2021. Programming includes a 60-minute PBS Books special, exploring the many worlds authors create, investigate, and share. Hosted by LeVar Burton, the special will premiere on Sunday, September 12, from 6-7pm ET (Check your local listing). Additional PBS feed dates are Saturday, September 18 at 7pm ET, and Sunday, September 19 at 1:30pm ET (more details to follow). Expect diverse discussions from incredible guests like Angie Thomas, Tana French, Viet Thanh Nguyen, and Michael J. Fox.
Throughout the months of August and September, PBS Books is hosting ten events to celebrate several authors who are part of this thrilling special. These intimate, moderated Q&As will be moments to learn about the care and curiosity that generates great writing. The events will provide insights into the upcoming festival and will be targeted to particular national regions. As always, this PBS Books content will be accessible to all audiences.
About the Author
Kelli Jo Ford is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. She is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships, including the Paris Review’s Plimpton Prize, the Everett Southwest Literary Award, the Katherine Bakeless Nason Award at Bread Loaf, a National Artist Fellowship by the Native Arts & Cultures Foundation, and a Dobie Paisano Fellowship. Her fiction has appeared in the Paris Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, Missouri Review, and the anthology Forty Stories: New Writing from Harper Perennial, among other outlet.