Thank you to everyone who joined us on Monday, April 20, in celebrating our remarkable honorees, Percival Everett, Dr. Carla Hayden, and Amy Tan. More than 400 writers, publishers, agents, and supporters of the written word gathered as we honored the indelible impact our honorees have had on the literary community, and highlighted the importance of the work of the Authors Guild and Foundation.
It was a truly unforgettable evening, marked by deeply moving and powerful remarks that captured both the urgency of this moment and the enduring importance of writers’ voices. More than anything, it reflected the extraordinary strength of this community and its shared commitment to protecting writers’ work and rights, and ensuring that literature can continue to reach and resonate with readers everywhere.
Honoring
Special Guests
Cord Jefferson
Academy Award-Winning Writer and Director
Christian Cooper
Emmy Award-Winning Television Host and Bestselling Author
Honorary Chair
Master of Ceremonies
Dakota Johnson
Actor and Producer
Josh Gondelman
Emmy Award-Winning Writer and Comedian
2026 Sponsors
History Sponsors
Suzanne Collins & Charles Pryor · Spotify for Authors
Novel Sponsors
Anonymous · Charleston Literary Festival · Hachette Book Group · HarperCollins Publishers · Penguin Random House · The Preston Family
Anthology Sponsors
Audible · Books-A-Million · KPJR Films · Lesher Family Foundation · Macmillan Publishers · Sourcebooks
Biography Sponsors
Amazon Literary Partnership · Marie Arana & Jonathan Yardley · Brisa & Mark Carleton · Patti Callahan Henry · Leon Levy Foundation · Libby, the library app · Susanna Porter & James Clark · RBmedia · Karyn Schoenbart, Duo Partners · Scholastic Inc. · Simon & Schuster · R.L. & Jane Stine · Writers House
2026 Gala Committee
Co-Chairs
Marie Arana · Brisa Carleton · Patti Callahan Henry · Meredith Lesher
Honorary Co-Chair: Christina Baker Kline
Lucy Ferriss · Amity Gaige · Vanessa LeFebvre · Steph Opitz ·Susanna Porter · Jessica Shattuck · Joanna Stone · Randy Winston