Amherst’s annual literary festival celebrates the College’s literary life by inviting distinguished authors and editors to discuss the pleasures and challenges of verbal expression — from fiction and nonfiction to poetry and spoken-word performance.

Please note in compliance with contract, National Book Award Finalists Meghan O’Rourke & Ingrid Rojas Contreras will only be available for 60 days. It will expire on May 1, 2023.

A Conversation with National Book Award Finalists Meghan O’Rourke & Ingrid Rojas Contreras

February 24, 2023

Meghan O’Rourke & Ingrid Rojas Contreras. Moderated by Dennis Sweeney, with introductions and remarks by President Elliott, Jennifer Acker ’00, and Ruth Dickey. (This video is only available through May 1, 2023.)

Readings by Amherst Alumni Authors and The Common Student Interns

February 25, 2023

Introductions by Sofia Belimova '22. Readings Ted Conover '80, Catherine Newman '90, Mark Vanhoenacker '96, and Marti Dumas '98, and The Common interns Olive Amdur '23, Alma Clark '25, Sophie Durbin '25, Kei Lim '25, and Sarah Wu '25. (This video is only available through May 1, 2023.)

Phosphorescence: Special Edition, A Poetry Event with Victoria Chang and Tyehimba Jess

February 25, 2023

Phosphorescence: Special Edition, A Poetry Event with Victoria Chang and Tyehimba Jess. Host: Jane Wald, Executive Director of the Emily Dickinson Museum.

Valeria Luiselli in Conversation with Jennifer Acker '00

February 25, 2023

In this session, Valeria Luiselli and Jennifer Acker engage in a conversation about the fiction writing process.

President’s Colloquium on Race and Racism: Hilton Als in Conversation with Professor Frank Leon Roberts

February 26, 2023

A conversation between writer and art curator Hilton Als and Frank Leon Roberts, assistant professor of English, with an introduction by President Michael A. Elliot