Amherst’s annual literary festival celebrates the College’s extraordinary literary life by bringing to campus distinguished authors and editors to share and discuss the pleasures and challenges of verbal expression—from fiction and nonfiction, to poetry and spoken-word performance.
This year’s festival features award-winning novelist Zadie Smith, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, and 2016 National Book Award Fiction Finalists Chris Bachelder and Jacqueline Woodson, among others.
THURSDAY, MARCH 2
A Conversation with Chris Bachelder and Jacqueline Woodson
Host: Pamela Paul
7:30–9 p.m.
Johnson Chapel
Followed by Q&A and book signing. Free and open to the public.
Held in conjunction with the National Book Awards on Campus, which brings NBA Winners and Finalists to colleges and universities for readings and discussions.
Poetry Slam for Amherst students
Host: Daniel Gallant
10 p.m.–midnight
The Powerhouse
FRIDAY, MARCH 3
A Conversation with Pamela Paul and Lisa Lucas
Host: Judith Frank
12–1 p.m.
Frost Library, Center for Humanistic Inquiry (2nd floor)
Light lunch served. Free and open to the public.
An Evening with Zadie Smith
Host: Jennifer Acker ’00
7:30–9 p.m.
Johnson Chapel
Followed by Q&A and book signing. Free and open to the public.
SATURDAY, MARCH 4
A Conversation with Doris Kearns Goodwin
Host: Cullen Murphy ’74
10–11:30 a.m.
Johnson Chapel
Followed by Q&A and book signing. Free and open to the public.
Emily Dickinson and her Amherst Literary Milieu
A walking tour
Noon–1 p.m.
Emily Dickinson Museum
Free and open to the public. Sign-up during prior festival events required.
Emily Dickinson and her Amherst Literary Milieu
A walking tour
1:30–2:30 p.m.
Emily Dickinson Museum
Free and open to the public. Sign-up during prior festival events required
