Lit Fest - Lighthouse Writers Workshop 2026

Panelists include: Claire Jia, Simone Stolzoff, Seth Brady Tucker, and Hannah Strouth (Sanford J. Greenburger Associates).

Debut year has a shape everyone recognizes—the thrill, the terror, the mystifying silence that follows. But what happens after? Four writers with books out in the last year talk honestly about what the debut actually taught them, how they're thinking about the next book, and what building a sustainable literary life really looks like once the confetti settles. Less "how to launch" and more "how to last"—useful for writers at every stage. This crew will also be joined by one of our visiting agents, who will give their take.

Panelists include: Claire Jia, Simone Stolzoff, Seth Brady Tucker, and Hannah Strouth (Sanford J. Greenburger Associates).

Debut year has a shape everyone recognizes—the thrill, the terror, the mystifying silence that follows. But what happens after? Four writers with books out in the last year talk honestly about what the debut actually taught them, how they're thinking about the next book, and what building a sustainable literary life really looks like once the confetti settles. Less "how to launch" and more "how to last"—useful for writers at every stage. This crew will also be joined by one of our visiting agents, who will give their take.

Help us celebrate the exceptional talent among this year’s Lit Fest Fellowship winners. Happy Hour beverages and snacks available (and see below about sober space options). Our lineup:

Veteran Writing Awardees
Reed Kuehn
Matt Eidson

Fellowship for Emerging Writers
Poetry: Christiana Castillo
(selected by Eduardo Corral)

Fiction: Marcie Alexander
Runner up: Blake Foster-Wagamon
Distinguished finalists: Hema Padhu & Evander Reyes
(selected by Ramona Ausubel)

Nonfiction: Sarah Kiley
Runner Up: Julia Marquez-Uppman
(selected by Elissa Washuta)

LARRK Fellowship Winners
Rachel Nielsen
Max Miller

We will have a Sober Space available on the second floor during this event. This is a welcoming, inclusive gathering place for people in all forms of recovery or anyone who wants to have a space to connect without alcohol during Lit Fest 2026. There will be snacks, NA beverages, writing prompts, and conversation starters available during this time. 

For more resources and recovery meetings close to Lighthouse, you can visit: https://www.yorkstreetclub.com/Schedule

Help us celebrate the exceptional talent among this year’s Lit Fest Fellowship winners. Happy Hour beverages and snacks available (and see below about sober space options). Our lineup:

Veteran Writing Awardees
Reed Kuehn
Matt Eidson

Fellowship for Emerging Writers
Poetry: Christiana Castillo
(selected by Eduardo Corral)

Fiction: Marcie Alexander
Runner up: Blake Foster-Wagamon
Distinguished finalists: Hema Padhu & Evander Reyes
(selected by Ramona Ausubel)

Nonfiction: Sarah Kiley
Runner Up: Julia Marquez-Uppman
(selected by Elissa Washuta)

LARRK Fellowship Winners
Rachel Nielsen
Max Miller

Grab a drink or a bite from our food truck and buckle down in Beacon Hall to hear your favorite visiting author perform their recent works. Afterwards, you can shop at the Lit Fest pop-up bookstore operated by Spell Books and get your book signed. This is the in-person version of this event.

We will have a Sober Space available on the second floor during this event. This is a welcoming, inclusive gathering place for people in all forms of recovery or anyone who wants to have a space to connect without alcohol during Lit Fest 2026. There will be snacks, NA beverages, writing prompts, and conversation starters available during this time. 

For more resources and recovery meetings close to Lighthouse, you can visit: https://www.yorkstreetclub.com/Schedule

Grab a drink or a bite from our food truck and buckle down in Beacon Hall to hear your favorite visiting author perform their recent works. Afterwards, you can shop at the Lit Fest pop-up bookstore operated by Spell Books and get your book signed. This is the livestream version of this event.