Colson Whitehead, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author of “Harlem Shuffle” and “The Underground Railroad”, will be in conversation with Albuquerque poet Hakim Bellamy at the KiMo, July 27, 2023.
Local independent bookstore Bookworks is bringing back its signature “A Word with Writers” this year with two time Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead. Colson Whitehead will be in conversation with Albuquerque’s own inaugural Albuquerque Poet Laureate Hakim Bellamy. It’s all happening July 27th, 7pm at the KiMo Theatre downtown. “A Word with Writers” is a nearly decade-long fundraiser for Albuquerque Public Libraries. It first launched in 2014 with George RR Martin, author of the highly popular Game of Thrones series. Colson Whitehead in conversation with Hakim Bellamy marks the return of this series since 2019. The 2020 event was canceled due to the pandemic, and subsequent events were virtual.
Colson Whitehead is the bestselling and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of books featuring Black life and culture. His book The Underground Railroad was a #1 New York Times bestseller and won the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the Carnegie Medal for Fiction. It was made into an Amazon Prime series produced and directed by Barry Jenkins, who won the Academy Award for Best Picture with Moonlight. Whitehead won his second Pulitzer for The Nickel Boys, a novel inspired by the notorious Florida’s Dozier School for Boys.
READ: “How Barry Jenkins and Colson Whitehead Made The Underground Railroad“
Colson Whitehead’s trip to Albuquerque is part of his book tour for the latest book in his Harlem Trilogy. The first book, Harlem Shuffle, takes place in early 1960s New York City. It’s a family saga, a crime novel, and a love letter to Harlem. The second book, Crook Manifesto, is coming out July 18, 2023 and continues the story of furniture salesman and ex-fence Ray Carney in 1971 Harlem.
Bookworks co-owner Shannon Guinn-Collins noted that Albuquerque often gets passed over for the big book tours. Yet with the 2023 relaunch of “A Word With Writers,” Albuquerque’s one of the cities in just over a dozen states to be part of Colson Whitehead’s U.S. book tour. Guinn-Collins is excited to help bring the literary scene to Albuquerque. “Having a partnership with the library is crucial to support the city and literacy. It’s one of the ways we’re giving back to the community.”
See a nationally recognized Black author, support a local bookstore, and help fund Albuquerque’s libraries all at the same time. Keep reading for details.
A Word with Writers: Colson Whitehead, Crook Manifesto
When: Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 7pm. Doors open at 6pm.
Where: KiMo Theatre downtown, 423 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102.
What else:
- Two-time Pulitzer Prize winning Colson Whitehead will be in conversation with inaugural Albuquerque Poet Laureate, Hakim Bellamy
- Two ticket types are available:
- Individual ticket: Includes general admission for one person, a pre-signed hardcover of Crook Manifesto, and a donation to the Albuquerque Public Library Foundation. The books will be available for pickup at the event. Price is $34.00
- Bring a Friend: This additional ticket includes general admission for two people, and a donation to the Albuquerque Public Library Foundation. Price is $19.50, and must be purchased in addition to an individual ticket.
- Other books by Colson Whitehead, as well as books by Hakim Bellamy, will be available for sale at the event.
Don’t miss the chance to see Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead in conversation with inaugural Albuquerque Poet Laureate Hakim Bellamy at the KiMo July 27, 2023.
Buy your tickets here: https://tickets.holdmyticket.com/tickets/414148?tc=hmt
Visit the event link here: https://www.bkwrks.com/event/colson-whitehead
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Shannon Moreau is the Editor of the NMBLC EQ Blog