Events

Past Events

In conversation with Michael Cunningham at the 2023 WIT Festival

Michael Cunningham and Roxana Robinson in Conversation on Mrs Dalloway at 98

A Deep Dive into Short Stories: A Workshop for Readers

Writers’ Workshop Program: January 10-14, 2023

Great literature engages the reader on three levels: aesthetic, intellectual, and emotional. In this class we’ll see how this engagement works. We’ll talk about what makes dialogue authentic and why we empathize, how a story creates an emotional landscape as well as a physical one, and how a story might change our minds. We’ll discuss character and language, style and structure, velocity and intention, conflict and change—all the elements of …

Celebrating Georgia O’Keeffe

Inaugural Annual Literary Benefit: The Cornwall Library’s first annual literary fundraiser will celebrate the 155th birthday of Georgia O’Keeffe. This will feature a slide lecture by Roxana Robinson entitled, “Georgia O’Keeffe: Reading the Work as the Life.” Robinson will show works that illuminate the artist’s life and reveal the stylistic development of one of America’s greatest modernist painters. Robinson is the author of the biography, “Georgia O’Keeffe: A Life.” A signed copy of her book …

Georgia O’Keeffe: An Artist’s Life by Roxana Robinson, Writer and author of the biography of Georgia O’Keeffe

In connection with the Georgia O’Keeffe exhibition, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museo Nacional in Madrid has organized a series of lectures (viewable on Zoom) designed to take a closer look at this great American modern artist.

To purchase a ticket for Roxana’s lecture, please click here: https://entradas.museothyssen.org/en/241-actividades/3707-ciclo-de-conferencias-online-georgia-okeeffe/info

The series consists of a total of six lectures. Three are by renowned American specialists Cody …

At Home with Bunny Williams: A Look at her Personal Collections In Conversation with Roxana Robinson, to benefit the Cornwall Library

The Cornwall Library is delighted to announce a benefit event at the home of our neighbors, legendary Interior designer Bunny Williams, and her husband, antiques dealer John Rosselli. Ms. Williams will discuss some favorite pieces from their personal collection with their friend, author and professor Roxana Robinson. The event will be held on Zoom but will be live from Ms. Williams and Mr. Rosselli’s home in Falls Village.

What makes this event different from others that Bunny has done is that …

Georgia O’Keeffe: The Life of an American Artist Virtual Q&A

We invite you to join Professor Roxana Robinson as we celebrate the new, expanded edition of her 1989 biography, Georgia O’Keeffe: The Life of an American Artist, which has been praised as, “The Best book ever written on O’Keeffe…An invaluable resource.” In conversation with Dawn Tripp, bestselling author of Georgia, the historical novel based on O’Keeffe’s life. Robinson and Tripp will discuss these questions and dive into the rich and intense personal …

Anna Karenina “Cornwall Read Great Fiction” Discussion Series

Author and Cornwall resident Roxana Robinson will lead a discussion of Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, for 9 weeks beginning Tuesday, January 12, at 4 pm through March 9. Each week, through Zoom meetings, Roxana will read a short excerpt from the book, and then lead a discussion of the week’s reading.

Class is open to all and is free but donations are encouraged and welcomed.

Click Here to Register (Registration is required for this series)

Click here for a weekly reading schedule, additional …

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

Join us for a conversation with Roxana Robinson, author of Georgia O’Keeffe: A Life, which was first published in 1989. 30 years later, the updated expanded edition features a new preface by Robinson setting O’Keeffe in artistic context, and never before published letters between O’Keeffe and Arthur Macmahon from 1915 – 1938.

Friday, November 13TH | 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM MST

Click here to Register

Kentucky Book Festival

Writing Historical Fiction: Margaret Verble in conversation with Roxana Robinson, Bobbie Ann Mason, and Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle

Each of the fascinating protagonists in these novels set from the 1860s to the 1960s and beyond navigate challenges of morality, political and social divides, culture clashes, family alliances, and destiny. Learn how these authors look to the past while writing poignant content for the present.

Tuesday, November 10 - 7:00 pm EST

Click here to Register

Kentucky Women Writers’ Festival

I will be speaking at the Kentucky Women Writers’ Festival on September 10th and 12th.

Click here for itinerary

New York Society Library

International Launch Party for The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante

Click here for tickets

The Lying Life of Adults is the first novel in five years from Elena Ferrante, author of the bestselling and beloved Neapolitan quartet. The long-awaited release calls for a pub day party with Ferrante fans from all over the world! On September 1, join Ferrante’s star translator Ann Goldstein, authors Siddhartha Deb, Lauren Groff, and Roxana Robinson, and other to-be-announced special guests for an evening of literary talks, trivia, readings, and giveaways in celebration …

Reading and Talk on Dawson’s Fall

Conversation with Jill McCorkle

Reading at Brattleboro Book Festival

National Book Festival

Blue Hill: Reading and Discussion

Jackson Memorial Library

The White Hart Speaker Series: Roxana Robinson

by Oblong Books & Music

Between Two Worlds: Roxana Robinson with Cheryl Pearl Sucher

Roxana Robinson discusses her new novel Dawson’s Fall with Cheryl Pearl Sucher.

With Jacki Lyden at the Center for Fiction

Roxana Robinson will be in conversation with award-winning journalist and long-time NPR reporter and host, Jacki Lyden.

GEORGIA O’KEEFFE: A CREATIVE LIFE

An Evening with Roxana Robinson and Linda M. Grasso: Two expert authors discuss O’Keeffe’s coming of age in modernist America and her identity as an independent artist and trailblazing feminist. These presentations followed by lively conversation will examine O’Keeffe’s intense personal relationships, explore how the struggle to balance love and work fueled her extraordinary accomplishments, and situate her in the women’s movements that affected the creation and reception of her art over several …

The Challenges of Peace Activism

Reading List:
Sparta by Roxana Robinson, Why Civil Resistance Works by Maria Stephan and Erica Chenoweth

How do peace activists stay in the fight? The antiwar movement today is demoralized and directionless, and the entire planet seems to be sleepwalking towards disaster. Our panelists include writers, journalists and organizers who have kept their spirits up in the face of apathy, derision and misunderstanding. What have they learned about the human and psychological side of our world’s …

WNBA Centennial Celebration

It is our pleasure to invite you to attend the WNBA’s Centennial Celebration. Festivities include a cocktail reception; presentation of the WNBA Second Century Prize to Todd Bol of Little Free Library; launch of Women in the Literary Landscape: A Centennial Publication of the Women’s National Book Association; and a conversation on the transformative power of literature featuring: Moderator, Deirdre Bair, Margo Jefferson,author of Negroland and cultural critic, Roxana Robinson,author of Sparta …

A.K. Smith Visiting Scholars Series

All readings are free and open to the public. A reception and book-signing will follow each event.

Southampton Writers Conference

The Writer’s Hotel

Kent County Public Library

Cornwall Historical Society

Fiction by Black Writers: Who Are the Readers?

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Zadie Smith, Colson Whitehead, Yaa Gyasi…some of today’s biggest names in fiction are black writers, and yet a predominantly white publishing industry maintains the assumption that black literature lacks marketability. Join writer and distinguished academic Dr. Elizabeth Nunez for a panel discussion challenging this assumption, with National Book Foundation Executive Director Lisa Lucas, Essence Magazine book editor Patrik Henry Bass, Vice President, Publisher, and …

Intersections of Art and Life

Join Dawn Tripp (Georgia: A Novel of Georgia O’Keeffe,)Roxana Robinson (Georgia O’Keeffe: A Life,) and author and critic Donna Seaman (Identity Unknown: Rediscovering Seven American Women Artists) for a fascinating exploration of the intersections of fact and fiction in creative writing, and the struggles facing women trying to break through preconceptions in art.

Novelists Read Knausgaard

**Volume 1, January 25 led by Roxana Robinson: **Since the first volume of Karl Ove Knausgaard’s sprawling work appeared in English in 2012, the series has garnered wide acclaim from critics and attracted a passionate following among readers. “My Struggle” has also been notably embraced and celebrated by Knausgaard’s fellow novelists. We invite you to join a special reading group devoted to this unique work. 

Ferrante Night Fever

The publication of Frantumaglia and The Beach at Night on November 1 is going to be the publishing event of the season. Over 70 stores nationwide will be holding #FerranteNightFever events during the week of October 31. We are delighted to be hosting a panel assembled by Europa Editions.

Brooklyn Book Festival: Seven Ways of Looking at War

Seven short readings from seven authors writing from center, edge and the aftermath of endless wars: Elliot Ackerman (Green on Blue), Deni Ellis Bechard (Into the Sun), Benjamin Busch (Dust to Dust: A Memoir), Lea Carpenter (Eleven Days) Matt Gallagher (Youngblood), Jen Percy (Demon Camp: A Soldier’s Exorcism) and Roxanna Robinson (Sparta) Readings to be followed by book signings and drinks with authors. Presented by Milkweed Editions. Facebook link

Keynote: Rights & Content in the Digital Age

At this half-day event, “Rights and Content in the Digital Age,” leading experts in the book and media industries — including literary agents, publishers and digital service providers — will highlight cutting-edge strategies to help you maximize your IP and grow your rights business.

In this digital age, when all backlist is frontlist, publishers are leaving money on the table while also opening themselves up to potential liability by not keeping better focus on the rights and licenses they …

The Muse and the Marketplace: GrubStreet’s national conference for writers

The Right to Write: Who owns the story? Stories come from different sources: dreams, overheard conversations, our own lives, watching and listening, feeling and perceiving. So, when you overhear someone’s conversation, or someone tells you about something she’s just been through, or when you suddenly feel engaged by the story of someone in the newspaper, or of a whole group of people, where do you draw the line between yours and theirs? When is the story yours, and when does it belong to someone …

PEN World Voices Festival - Elena Ferrante: Frantumaglia

With Ann Goldstein, Roxana Robinson, Judith Thurman • Italian novelist Elena Ferrante has become a worldwide sensation with her Neapolitan novels. Ferrante’s longtime English-language translator joins Festival authors to discuss the work of this famously enigmatic author, and her collection of essays and letters Bits and Pieces of Uncertain Origin, coming out in April. VIDEO

AWP: Peter Ho Davies, Joyce Carol Oates, and Roxana Robinson: A Reading and Conversation

Peter Ho Davies is the author of the novel The Welsh Girl, which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize, and two story collections, The Ugliest House in the World and Equal Love. Joyce Carol Oates has written some of the most enduring fiction of our time, including We Were the Mulvaneys; Blonde, which was nominated for the National Book Award; and the New York Times bestseller The Accursed. Roxana Robinson is the author of Sparta, four earlier novels including Cost, three story collections, and …

AWP: Helping: A Tribute to Robert Stone

On his passing in January 2015, Robert Stone was hailed as one of the most significant American novelists of the last half-century—a chronicler of disillusionment and moral disorder in post-Vietnam America, and of the often disastrous consequences of American idealism abroad. This panel gathers friends, colleagues, and former students of Stone to read excerpts of his work and share stories and tributes to his legacy.

Reading by Roxana Robinson, Rosati fellow

Q&A, book signing and reception following. Free and open to the public.

Brooklyn Book Festival

Roxana Robinson on the Human Side of War 6:10-6:55 pm

Roxana Robinson will speak at the National Book Festival as part of The Human Side of War: A Tribute to the American War Experience, 1942-2015.

The Muse and the Marketplace

What is Great Fiction

Early September, 2015 - The Novel Experience Convocation

Roxana Robinson will discuss her novel Sparta with first year students and the Wofford community at large.

Writers Speak Wednesdays

Roxana Robinson on Georgia O’Keeffe

Center Director Philip Kunhardt will introduce Roxana Robinson, novelist, short story writer, and biographer to present a talk entitled “Georgia O’Keeffe: The Life We Want.”

Writers Read NYC

Please join us for our March Reading, featuring exciting work from Nancy Jainhill, Andrée Lockwood, Marcia Pelletiere, and Roxana Robinson.

Rutgers MFA Program

Lu Burke Reading Series

talk and signing

Fall 2019 Distinguished Writers Series at Hunter College

Faculty Dining Room, Hunter College, West Building, 8th floor (Southwest corner of Lexington Avenue and East 68th Street)

On Elena Ferrante

Elena Ferrante’s translator Ann Goldstein and novelists Stacey D’Erasmo and Roxana Robinson will talk about their passion for the acclaimed Italian writer and about her newest book, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay.

Fall for the Book Book Festival

Novelist Roxana Robinson and Journalist David Finkel

US Air Force Academy

Through Sept. 11th

An Evening with Ann Beattie and Roxana Robinson

Doors at 6:30 p.m., Show at 7:00 p.m.

Reading

Wesleyan Writers Conference

Through the 15th

War Lit Panel

PEN World Voices Festival

Adrian Bonbenberger - War Lit Panel

Panel with David Abrams, Matt Gallagher and Adrian Bonenberger, to celebrate his new book, Afghan Post.

Literary Festival

2017 PEN+NE Literary Awards

Roxana Robinson will keynote the 2017 PEN New England Literary Awards celebrating the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Fiction and the PEN/New England Awards for Fiction, Poetry, and Nonfiction. Free and open to the public. Reservations recommended.

Berkshire Festival of Women Writers

Panel on transgendered writing at Berkshire Women Writers Festival.

Tucson Festival of Books

Novelists on Loss and Love (Saturday, 11:30am); Fiction: Worlds In Transition (Sunday, 11:30am); Fiction: The Wreckage of War (Sunday, 2:30p.m.)

Reading

Discussion with David Finkel, moderated by Noreen Tomassi.

Discussion with David Finkel, moderated by Noreen Tomassi.

Conversation with Davyne Verstandig

Brattleboro Literary Festival

Reading and Signing

Reading

Reading/Signing

Book-signing

Book Signing

Brown Bag Luncheon Reading

Reading from Sparta

Reading from Sparta

Reading from Sparta

Reading

Reading/signing

Reading/Signing

NYU Summer Writing Intensive

Two-week Summer Intensive Program in Creative Writing.

Wesleyan Writers Conference

Reading from Sparta

Reading/signing

Printers Row Book Festival

Conversation with Elizabeth Taylor, Literary Editor of the ‘Chicago Tribune’.


Launch for novel Sparta

Reading and Signing; Launch for novel Sparta