2026 Authors Guild Foundation Gala

Cipriani Wall Street
55 Wall Street, NYC

6 P.M. VIP Reception · 6:30 P.M. General Reception
7:30 P.M. Dinner & Program · 9:30 P.M. After Party
Black Tie Optional

Celebrate with us on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Cipriani Wall Street as we honor Percival Everett, Dr. Carla Hayden, and Amy Tan at the Authors Guild Foundation Gala. This unforgettable evening raises vital funds for the Foundation’s programs and advocacy, protecting writers’ rights, combating censorship, and fostering a vibrant landscape for readers and writers alike.

Honoring

Percival Everett

Baldacci Award for Literary Activism

Dr. Carla Hayden

Champion of Writers Award

Amy Tan

Preston Award for Distinguished Service to the Literary Community

Special Guests

Cord Jefferson
Academy Award-Winning Writer and Director

Christian Cooper
Emmy Award-Winning Television Host and Bestselling Author

Honorary Chair

Dakota Johnson
Actor and Producer

2026 Sponsors

History Sponsors

Suzanne Collins & Charles Pryor · Spotify for Authors

Novel Sponsors

Charleston Literary Festival · Hachette Book Group · HarperCollins Publishers · Penguin Random House

Anthology Sponsors

Audible · Books-A-Million · Lesher Family Foundation · Macmillan Publishers · Sourcebooks

Biography Sponsors

Marie Arana & Jonathan Yardley · Brisa & Mark Carleton · Patti Callahan Henry · Leon Levy Foundation · Susanna Porter & James Clark · RBmedia · Karyn Schoenbart, Duo Partners · Scholastic Inc. · Simon & Schuster · R.L. & Jane Stine · Writers House

Click here to learn about sponsorship opportunities.

2026 Gala Committee

Co-Chairs

Marie Arana · Brisa Carleton · Patti Callahan Henry · Meredith Lesher
Honorary Co-Chair: Christina Baker Kline

Lucy Ferriss · Amity Gaige · Steph Opitz · Vanessa LeFebvre · Susanna Porter · Jessica Shattuck · Joanna Stone · Randy Winston

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