Gala Raises Vital Support for Writers
Clockwise from top left: David Shelley of Hachette Book Group; honoree Tina Chang with host Ophira Eisenberg; honoree Eugene B. Redmond; (from left) Maggie Shipstead, Julie Orringer, Major Jackson, Megha Majumdar, Ayana Mathis, Editor's Award winner Jordan Pavlin, Michelle Zauner, Tommy Orange, Susan Minot, Eliza Minot, and Elias, Jules, and Ari Haberberg (members of Pavlin’s family); Tommy Orange and Jordan Pavlin.
“We happen to be at a point in time when both the free expression and the income of writers are under threat in a number of ways…[and] the work that Poets & Writers [does] protecting and supporting writers is not just valuable, but is actually essential in terms of maintaining this delicate and precious literary ecosystem,” said David Shelley, CEO of Hachette Book Group and chair of the Poets & Writers Gala, which was held on March 23 in New York City.
More than five hundred fifty writers, editors, publishers, and other members of the book industry gathered in support of Poets & Writers. Comedian and author Ophira Eisenberg was the evening’s host, adding hilarity to the occasion with a memorable recitation of online reviews of acclaimed works of literature. Tina Chang, Khaled Hosseini, and Eugene B. Redmond were honored with the Writers for Writers Award for the many ways each has worked to strengthen and expand the literary community. Jordan Pavlin of Alfred A. Knopf received the Editor’s Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to books of literary merit. Pavlin was introduced by novelist Tommy Orange, who provided a vivid and highly amusing glimpse into his nearly decade-long collaboration with Pavlin.
“Since as far back as I can remember, I’ve been high on languages and rhythms,” said Redmond while reflecting on a remarkable career that has encompassed poetry, editing, publishing, and activism. Hosseini spoke of his efforts to oppose book bans and pledged “to continue to resist the narrowing of our collective imagination.” Chang offered a hopeful perspective, stating that supporting other writers had challenged her to see that “we don’t live in a world of lack, but in a world of change. Writers are the interpreters of that change, however volatile, and witnesses to the insistence on our survival.” In the final remarks of the evening, Pavlin affirmed the indispensable role of writers in our society: “We are living through an unbearably dark time, and keeping an open heart is much easier said than done. Now more than ever the world needs its poets. The world needs its writers. ...When the barbarism of this age is behind us, the art will remain.” (A recording of the gala program can be viewed at pw.org/gala.)
With Shelley’s leadership, and thanks to the Poets & Writers Board of Directors and generous sponsors—including premier underwriter Books-A-Million and lead underwriters Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, James Patterson, Penguin Random House, and Sourcebooks—the gala raised $1.15 million to support Poets & Writers’ programs and publications.