Books have helped bring us together during a year of solitude and soul-searching. During our 29th Annual Authors Guild Foundation Gala this week, we celebrated the impact that authors have on our lives with two brilliant conversations—one between Louise Erdrich and Rumaan Alam, and another with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Chris Jackson, and Marie Arana.

The evening was centered around the conversations with our honorees and also featured  appearances by special guest authors including Isabel Allende, David Baldacci, Rita Dove, Isaac Fitzgerald, John Grisham, Paula Hawkins, Gish Jen, Morgan Jerkins, Christina Baker Kline, Janet Mock, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Jason Reynolds, Margot Lee Shetterly, Gloria Steinem, Jia Tolentino, Alice Wong, and Kao Kalia Yang.

What book inspired you or changed the way you see the world?

The Gala also highlighted beloved authors talking about the books that have greatly impacted them.

Watch the video of the Gala to hear what they had to say and tag us on social media to share the books that have changed your life!

We’d like to extend our sincerest thanks to our honorees Louise Erdrich, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, and Chris Jackson and One World, and to Rumaan Alam, Marie Arana, and Samantha Bee for moderating and hosting. 

We are so grateful to everyone who joined us and those who made a donation during the Gala. We would also like to extend a special thanks to our sponsors who allowed us to present this virtual Gala free to all. Our work is made possible by the support of our passionate community, and we are honored by your continued partnership to ensure we can serve writers and honor their role as national leaders for years to come!