Coming to the U.K....

And Happy Birthday, Paula! (A bonus post)

Really loving the conversation over behind the paywall about the notion that we have entered a “post-literate” age. Lots of good arguments for and against this, and some incredible “reading in our times” anecdotes, and even some hopeful solutions.

Join us over there, if you’re so inclined.

Very happy to announce that I’ll be coming to the U.K. in February, for Vigil - excited to see so many old (and new) friends in a place that’s been so good to me over the years, and of which I have so many fond memories.

And here are the links for tickets:

Tuesday 17^th February London, The Adelphi Theatre, hosted by How To Academy. George Saunders in conversation with Richard Ayoade. Time: 7.30 pm

Wednesday 18^th February Bristol, 1532 Performing Arts Theatre, hosted by Storysmith. George Saunders in conversation with Max Porter. Time: 6.30 pm

Thursday 19^th February Edinburgh, Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre, hosted by The Portobello Bookshop George Saunders in conversation. Time: 7 pm

Hope to see some of you there!

I want, also, to wish my wife, Paula, a very happy birthday today (November 13th) and let you all know about two upcoming events in support of her beautiful novel, Starting From Here.

On Tuesday, November 18th, she’ll be appearing here, in the Rancho Mirage Writers Series, interviewed by the wonderful Dr. Khoi Le…

…and on Monday, December 1st, she’ll be here, at Godmothers Books in Santa Barbara, interviewed by our dear friend and legendary photographer Stewart Shining - it should be a very special conversation, as Stewart and Paula were next-door neighbors, growing up in Rapid City, South Dakota.

I’ll be in attendance at both of these events - in addition to being the love of my life, she’s a phenomenally inspiring speaker.

Beyond the (very low!) paywall, we’ll be starting a new story on Sunday - quite an old story, and very odd.

We’re off to New York this week, for the National Book Awards ceremony, where I’ll be receiving the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, presented by my dear pal Deborah Treisman of The New Yorker. Should be a fun night and the whole process has evoked a lot of nostalgia and gratitude on my part, of course. More about that once I’m back…

And speaking of Deborah Treisman, here’s a link to my event with Deborah and the amazing Zadie Smith at The New Yorker Fest a couple of weeks back.