English Honor Societies is proud to announce its 2025–2026 Author Webinar Series, featuring eight critically acclaimed authors whose work spans genres, voices, and perspectives. These live virtual events offer students and educators direct access to contemporary writers whose stories challenge, inspire, and connect us. We hope to see you at the events!
Texts by all authors included in the 2025–2026 series can be purchased via the English Honor Societies’ Bookshop.org page.
September 2025: Marguerite Sheffer—The Man in the Banana Trees
Kicking off the series is Marguerite Sheffer, whose short story collection, The Man in the Banana Trees, a finalist for the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Short Story Collection, explores identity and belonging through richly layered narratives. Her webinar will delve into craft, place-based storytelling, and the emotional core of fiction.
October 2025: Angie Cruz—How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water
2025–2026 NEHS Common Reader author and winner of the Latino Book Award/The Isabel Allende Most Inspirational Book Award, Angie Cruz, joins us to discuss her acclaimed novel, How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water, a timely meditation on resilience and reinvention. Her discussion will explore voice, structure, and the power of storytelling as social witness.
November 2025: Gabrielle Zevin—Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
Gabrielle Zevin, author of the New York Times bestseller, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow,will engage with students and Chapter Advisors on themes of collaboration, ambition, and identity and discuss her text in terms of friendship, creativity, and video games as art.
December 2025: James Ijames—Fat Ham
Pulitzer Prize winner James Ijames reimagines Hamlet with Southern flair and bold queerness in Fat Ham. This unique opportunity for student members and Chapter Advisors will allow them to explore drama, adaptation, and writing for the stage with an expert in his field.
January 2026: Samira Ahmed—Internment
Samira Ahmed will offer a discussion of, Internment, a searing YA novel about resistance in dystopian America. Her session will address activism in fiction, historical echoes, and empowering youth through literature.
February 2026: TJ Klune—Under the Whispering Door
TJ Klune brings heart and humor to a tender tale of grief, found family, and the afterlife in Under the Whispering Door. His discussion with student members and Chapter Advisors will center on hope, queer joy, and writing with compassion.
April 2026: Bonnie Garmus—Lessons in Chemistry
A global bestseller, Bonnie Garmus’ novel, Lessons in Chemistry, features an unforgettable protagonist defying 1950s norms. Expect conversation on feminism, science, and subverting expectations.
May 2026: Ruta Sepetys—Salt to the Sea and The Bletchley Riddle.
Closing the series is acclaimed historical fiction author Ruta Sepetys. Her session will illuminate the research process and human stories behind the hidden history included in Salt to the Sea and The Bletchley Riddle.
Join us for this wonderful opportunity to engage with authors who bring diverse stories and perspectives to life. These webinars are designed to inspire student members and Chapter Advisors alike, fostering a deeper appreciation for literature and its impact on our understanding of the world.
More from NEHSXpress: August 26, 2025
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NEHS Chapter Updates, Payments, and Merchandise
Upcoming Awards, Grants, & Scholarships
NEHS 2026 Convention
