Gary Shteyngart is a NY Times bestselling author known for his blistering humor and satirical takedown of contemporary society, as well as his compassionate examination of modern love and loss. He is author of six novels, a memoir, and essays for The New Yorker and The Atlantic. Newest book is “Vera, or Faith.” Born in Russia, Shteyngart explores life as an immigrant and an American.

Abby Jimenez is a popular romance novelist and winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars.  Her books have landed her on the NY Times and USA Today bestseller lists. Jimenez’s book, ”The Friend Zone,” is on Oprah Magazine’s list of most addicting romance novels. “The Night We Met” is her newest romance novel.

Kevin Young is poetry editor of the New Yorker and award-winning author of 16 books of poetry and prose. His book, “Stones” was shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize and his newest work, “Night Watch: Poems” is a NY Times Editor’s Choice. He was director of the Smithsonian’s Nat’l. Museum of African American History and Culture and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Megha Majumdar Is described as “one of the most exciting voices of her generation.” Her novel, “A Guardian and a Thief,” is an Oprah’s Book Club pick and a finalist for the Nat’l Book Award. Her debut novel, “A Burning” is a NY Times bestseller that has been translated into multiple languages. Majumdar was raised in India and lives in NYC

Michael Chabon is the Pulitzer-Prize-winning author of “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.” The LA Times describes him as “a loving craftsman of superb sentences, Chabon has been producing pitch-perfect, dazzling, fiction.” His second novel, “Wonder Boys,” was made into a critically acclaimed film. He was born in D.C., raised in tobacco country, and now lives in California.

R. F. Kuang is an award-winning fantasy novelist. At age 21, she published her first novel, “The Poppy War.” It evolved into a trilogy that earned its place in Time magazine’s “100 best fantasy books of all time.” In 2025, HarperCollins signed Kuang to a four-book deal. “Katabasis” is her newest fantasy novel. Kuang was born in China and raised in Texas.