Michael Ian Black and Natasha Trethewey are among the headliners for the Texas Book Festival’s annual First Edition Literary Gala.
The gala, usually held in Austin, will be all virtual this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Every year, the Texas Book Festival gala is a can’t-miss event,” Sarah Queen, the festival’s board of directors chair, said in a news release. “That still holds true for this year’s Virtual Gala, and we’re excited that the virtual program will allow our friends across Texas and beyond to join us in supporting literacy and literary programming in Texas.”
Black, the comedian and author of several books—most recently, A Better Man—will serve as the gala’s master of ceremonies.
Former U.S. Poet Laureate Trethewey (Memorial Drive) will appear, along with authors Julia Alvarez (Afterlife) and Nick Hornby (Just Like You).
This year’s event will feature “a virtual silent auction with exceptional vacation homes, private author experiences, and other packages generously donated by local businesses and artists,” the festival said.
The gala serves as a fundraiser for the festival, which sponsors programs that donate books to low-income schools and provide grants for libraries across Texas.
Tickets to the gala, which will be held on Nov. 6, start at $600, and are available on the festival’s website.
Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.
