Poets & Writers Gala Honors Knopf Authors Adichie, Russo, Riverhead Editorial Director Rebecca Saletan
April 3, 2018
The annual spring gala benefit dinner for Poets & Writers—America’s largest nonprofit service organization dedicated to fostering the professional development of poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers—is always an enjoyably memorable occasion to celebrate one of its core missions: “to help create an environment in which literature can be appreciated by the widest possible public.” This objective was thrillingly achieved at this year’s event, held in Manhattan on March 28, at which Riverhead Books Vice President and Editorial Director Rebecca Saletan and Knopf authors Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Richard Russo were honored for their exceptional contributions to the writing and publishing community.



Poets & Writers to Honor Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Richard Russo, and Riverhead’s Rebecca Saletan
November 28, 2017
Poets & Writers, the distinguished nonprofit literary organization that fosters the professional creative development of poets as well as fiction and nonfiction writers, has announced its annual awards recipients:

Photo Credit: Wani Olatunde[/caption] Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the author of several acclaimed novels, including HALF OF A YELLOW SUN (Anchor) and AMERICANAH (Anchor), as well as highly regarded essay collections, WE SHOULD ALL BE FEMINISTS (Anchor) and DEAR IJEAWELE, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions (Knopf). Poets & Writers salutes Ms. Adichie for how she “supports and encourages younger writers through her work with the Farafina Trust Creative Writing Workshop in Nigeria, widely regarded as the premier writing program in Africa.” [caption id="attachment_8795" align="alignleft" width="166"]

Photo Credit: Elena Seibert[/caption] Richard Russo is the author of numerous bestselling novels, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning EMPIRE FALLS (Vintage) and, most recently, EVERYBODY’S FOOL (Vintage). Poets & Writers notes that Mr. Russo “is renowned as an advocate for other writers. While many well-known authors will blurb an emerging writer’s book, Russo goes much farther, often planning joint appearances and hosting high-profile events to help bring attention to books and authors he believes in.” [caption id="attachment_8796" align="alignright" width="237"]

Photo Credit: Louie Saletan[/caption] Ms. Saletan is being recognized for “her long-standing commitment to championing diverse voices and lowering barriers to publishing, as well as her exceptional ability to spot talent and to inspire her colleagues.” During the course of her thirty-five-year career in publishing, she has worked with a wide range of authors, including 2017 National Book Award-winning author, journalist and social critic Masha Gessen; the late National Book Award-winning writer and environmentalist Peter Matthiessen; and internationally bestselling novelist and essayist Mohsin Hamid. Also being honored with a 2018 Writers for Writers award is Steve Cannon, who created “A Gathering of the Tribes,” a New York City multi-cultural East Village institution since 1991. This performance venue and meeting place is for artists and audiences to come together across all artistic disciplines. The awards will be presented at Poets & Writers’ annual dinner, In Celebration of Writers, on Wednesday evening, March 28, 2018, in Manhattan.
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