Reading

In this reading, we welcome acclaimed Zimbabwean author Novuyo Rosa Tshuma to discuss her latest novel, Digging Stars.

The talented minds of our very own writers-in-residence and some of  the writers from the University of Iowa’s International Writers Program come together for a one night only collaboration featuring readings and performances, across genres. 

In this program, we welcome back the #notwhite collective as they express the hybridized and multifaceted aspects of self-defined liberation. They will be celebrating their recently released book A Future Artefact of the Global Majority: a book that catalogs the #notwhite collective’s journey, vision, members, and work spanning their first six years— 2016–2022.

Following along with our ongoing Alphabet City Kids series, this youth centered program offers story time with Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Winning author/illustrator Jack Wong, as he celebrates the release of his new picture book The Words We Share. The story hour will be followed by an engagement activity and a Q&A with Jack.

This hybrid program welcomes masterful author Ariel Dorfman, who will be joining virtually, as he discusses his most recent novel, The Suicide Museum.

This conversation between Pittsburgh political cartoonist Rob Rogers and Nicaraguan cartoonist and illustrator Pedro Molina will explore political cartooning and the challenge of cartoonists facing censorship.

This hybrid program features acclaimed author Guy Gunaratne, who will be livestreamed in for the reading and conversation. They will discuss Guy’s latest novel Mister, Mister, a blazingly propulsive novel following a captured jihadist and poet-preacher as he recounts his path to international notoriety. 

To live is to tell stories. Embracing that truth, Story Club Pittsburgh (created by the former producers of The Moth Pittsburgh), organizes and hosts a monthly nonfiction storytelling series at City of Asylum. The theme for October 2023 is Unexpected. 

The Free Association Reading Series returns for this year’s sixth installment of intimate readings. This month’s program features exceptional local writers Richard Hamilton, T.N. Eyer, Inga Lea Schmidt, Christina Fisanick.

Longtime friend of City of Asylum and co-founder of Cave Canem, Toi Derricotte, returns to Alphabet City for a reading featuring all new poems in an exclusive sneak preview of content from her upcoming book.

In this teen-curated reading, City of Asylum celebrates the 2023–2024 Allegheny County Youth Poet Laureate Hallie Dong and 2023–2024 Allegheny County Youth Poet Ambassadors Lilah George, Madeline Ng, Casey Vallecorsa, and Oluwatobiloba Olaore.

In a continuation of our Healthcare and Humanity Reading Series, City of Asylum welcomes author Muhammad Zaman to share his recently released work "We Wait for a Miracle: Health Care and the Forcibly Displaced."

Renowned author Álvaro Enrigue shares a reading from his new novel "You Dreamed of Empires" as part of Anderson Tepper's ongoing "World Literature" series.

The Free Association Reading Series returns for its second installment of 2024. This month’s program features exceptional local writers Lainy Carslaw, Richard Hamilton, Hallie Pritts, Robert Walicki.

Booker nominated & Pulitzer winner Hisham Matar share his brand new novel, "My Friends," in City of Asylum debut.

City of Asylum presents the Hiawatha Project original play “In Our Time: Pandemic Stories from the Frontlines” by Anya Martin.

This month’s Free Association Reading features exceptional regional writers Jane Bernstein, Ace Boggess, Doralee Brooks, and Jane McCafferty.

Bolivian author Liliana Colanzi introduces her new book "You Glow in the Dark" in a reading at City of Asylum.

Poets Arthur Kayzakian, Diana Khoi Nguyen, Joy Priest, and Gaia Rajan reclaim diasporic poetry as a powerful conduit for joy and community. 

After a two-week residency on Sampsonia Way, prize-winning poet Shayla Lawz presents new works in a reading at City of Asylum.

Join City of Asylum in celebrating 20 years of Action Books

The final Free Association Reading this season features exceptional regional writers Amy M. Alvarez, Philip Terman’s, Anjali Sachdeva, and Jake Mayard.