Dive into an electrifying panel celebrating the freedom to create and read with Authors Against Book Bans’ Kayla Cagan, Ann Angel, and Laura Gao hosted by Gigi Howard of Drinks in the Library. Kayla Cagan is the bestselling author of Piper Perish and Art Boss and is known for her dynamic storytelling and insightful exploration of young artists. Cagan’s works have received rave reviews and multiple accolades. Ann Angel, the award-winning author of Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing, is celebrated for her compelling biographies and anthologies that delve into the intersection of music and personal stories.Laura Gao is the author and illustrator behind the viral webcomic The Wuhan I Know and the bestselling graphic memoir Messy Roots. Gao’s innovative and powerful storytelling brings fresh perspectives to the forefront. Spend your evening with host Gigi Howard, talking about the power of creative freedom and expression with these leaders in Authors Against Book Bans.

Go beyond the page to explore novels and imagination with Valerie (V. M.) Burns and Ally Malinenko, in conversation with Gigi Howard from "Drinks in the Library". Join us for a captivating discussion with two exceptional authors: Valerie (V. M.) Burns, a celebrated mystery writer renowned for her engaging series, including the Mystery Bookshop, Dog Club, and RJ Franklin series, and Ally Malinenko, a versatile poet and novelist acclaimed for her haunting and evocative works such as This Appearing House and Ghost Girl. This panel offers a wonderful opportunity to delve into the creative processes of both authors, uncovering how they craft their compelling stories and characters. Discover the intersection of mystery and poetry as Valerie and Ally discuss their inspirations, writing practices, and the impact of their work in today's literary world.

Join Gigi Howard on the "Drinks at the Library" podcast for a special Banned Books Week Live Festival episode with Authors Against Book Bans. Guests Shana Youngdahl, Michael Leali, and Marc Tyler Nobleman discuss the fight for free expression, censorship, and the importance of storytelling, in collaboration with EveryLibrary.

Join us on August 27th at 8pm edt for an engaging panel featuring Rex Ogle, author of "Four Eyes #2: Pizza Face," and illustrator Dave Valeza. Dive into the hilarious and heartfelt world of middle school as Rex navigates seventh grade with humor and honesty. With dynamic illustrations by Dave Valeza, this graphic memoir captures the essence of adolescence in all its messy glory. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Rex and Dave as they discuss their collaboration and share insights into the creative process behind "Pizza Face."

Join EveryLibrary and our spectacular co-host, Gigi Howard from the podcast Drinks in the Library, for a live conversation with author Elizabeth O'Conner, who is renowned for her poignant short stories featured in esteemed platforms like The White Review and Granta, brings her signature style to her new debut novel Whale Fall.

Join EveryLibrary and our spectacular co-host, Gigi Howard from Drinks in the Library, for a live author chat with Jason June. We'll discuss the culture of reading and writing in America today. Jason June is a New York Times bestselling author from Dallas, Texas. He’s a big fan of unicorns, stories that center on the power of queer love, and embracing the camp of the Lone Star state. His novels include Out of the Blue, Jay’s Gay Agenda, and The Spells We Cast. Visit him on social media @HeyJasonJune, or on his website at www.HeyJasonJune.com. His new book, The Magic You Make, comes out in October from Disney Publishing.

Join EveryLibrary and our spectacular co-host, Gigi Howard from Drinks in the Library, for a live author chat with actress, voice artist, and writer Alison Larkin. We'll discuss the culture of reading and writing in America today.

Alison Larkin's first novel, The English American, (S&S 2008) is a fabulously funny, deeply poignant novel about an adopted English woman who finds her birth parents in the United States. It sprang from Larkin's autobiographical one-woman show of the same name. Alison is about to embark on a World Tour with her new autobiographical one woman show Grief... A Comedy. Her brand new book of the same name is currently available after live performances. For more information, visit www.alisonlarkin.com. Alison joins us through our collaborative efforts with Author’s Republic, an audiobook distribution service.

Join EveryLibrary and our spectacular co-host, Gigi Howard from Drinks in the Library, for a live author chat with author Alexis Landau and narrator Cassandra Campbell. We'll discuss the culture of reading and writing in America today.

Alexis Landau graduated from Vassar College, received an MFA from Emerson College, and received a PhD in English literature and creative writing from the University of Southern California. She is the author of The Empire of the Senses and Those Who Are Saved. Her third novel, The Mother of All Things, was published on May 7th, 2024. It's a novel about a contemporary woman who immerses herself in ancient Greco-Roman female mystery rites while on a summer journey with her family.

Cassandra Campbell is an American narrator of over 900 audiobooks. She has won four Audie Awards from the Audio Publishers Association and has been a finalist for several more. She has also earned numerous Earphones Awards from AudioFile, who named her a Golden Voice Narrator. In 2018, she was inducted into Audible's Narrator Hall of Fame. Literary Hub called her "an oral shapeshifter," saying, "her versatility, her emotional intelligence, and her resonant voice make her a much sought-after narrator."

Join EveryLibrary and our spectacular co-host, Gigi Howard from Drinks in the Library, for a live author chat with award-winning actress, voice artist, and writer Mary Jane Wells. We'll discuss the social impact of storytelling.

Mary Jane Wells trained as an actor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She performed theater in the UK and Europe for 12 years before moving to the US. She wrote and performed her first solo show, Heroine, in 2017, which is the true story of a living survivor of military sexual trauma and became an unlikely hit. She has narrated over 150 audiobooks, and has 3 Audies and 10 Earphone Awards so far. Author’s Republic published and distributed the audiobook version of Heroine, an Audie award winner.

Join EveryLibrary and our spectacular co-host Gigi Howard from Drinks in the Library for a National Library Week 2024 Live author chat with MT Anderson and Scott Guild. We discuss their new books, "Nicked" and "Plastic," and the culture of reading and writing in America today.