Events

Join us for an insightful and thought-provoking conversation between Dr. Francis Collins and Kanwal Singh, Provost and Dean of Faculty at Sarah Lawrence College. In this engaging discussion, Dr. Collins will explore themes such as scientific innovation, public health initiatives, and the challenges of polarization in today's society. Dr. Collins led the Human Genome Project, which successfully mapped the first complete sequence of human DNA in 2003. As Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 2009 to 2021, he spearheaded transformative advancements in biomedical research, overseeing efforts that continue to shape the future of health and medicine. His groundbreaking work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Medal of Science, and the Templeton Prize.

The act of writing can be difficult, especially when writing about painful subjects. Digging through the stuff that most people spend a lifetime avoiding, ignoring, and repressing can be freeing and empowering, but it can also be distressing, whether we are consciously aware of it or not. How can we take care of ourselves and our bodies while sitting in front of a computer or notebook as we imagine or recount events, feelings, ideas that may be scary or traumatic or depressing? How can we find a balance between being too detached from or too involved when we write? What if you want to write about tortured subjects without torturing yourself? Maybe the booze-soaked, unhinged, chaotic writer's life sounds like hell to you. Maybe peace is what you've been looking for.

Jenny Zhang is the author of My Baby First Birthday (Tin House Books, 2020) and Sour Heart (Lenny Books, 2017). She also writes for TV and film.

Please join us in celebrating Writing Institute Assistant Director Ava Robinson’s debut novel Definitely Better Now. 

When it comes to publishing, every writer needs a good agent, and when you find your agent it can be the perfect match. We’re delighted to welcome Jaime Carr of The Book Group for a discussion with Ava Robinson about Ava’s path to publication, their work together as agent and author, and advice on how writers can find their own perfect match.

This event will include a brief reading from Definitely Better Now (a Book of the Month Club pick!) Books will be for sale courtesy of Transom Bookshop and refreshments will be served.

This event is free and open to the public. Parking is available in the Andrews Lot. RSVP HERE.