Authors announced for celebration of books at OSU-Tulsa

Thursday, July 10, 2008

(July 10, 2008  TULSA , OK) – Acclaimed playwright Tracy Letts and best-selling author Mitch Albom will join more than 70 writers, artists and musicians for the Celebration of Books this fall at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa.
 
The university’s Oklahoma Center for Poets and Writers will kick off the Celebration with “An Evening with Tracy Letts and Mitch Albom” at the Chapman Music Hall in Tulsa’s Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26.
 
The Celebration will continue on Saturday, Sept. 27 with a day of panel discussions, writing workshops, presentations, live interviews and book signings at OSU-Tulsa.
 
Letts, who was born in Tulsa and grew up in Durant, will receive the Homecoming Award, an honor reserved for writers originally from the south and southwest who have distinguished the region through their writing.
 
Earlier this year, Letts won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play for “August: Osage County,” his play about a dysfunctional Oklahoma family. He is also the author of “Killer Joe,” “Bug,” “Man From Nebraska” and “Superior Donuts.”
 
A performer as well as a playwright, Letts is a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and has appeared in dozens of plays, television series and movies.
 
Albom will receive the Ambassador’s Award, which honors authors of international stature whose works reach beyond cultural boundaries.
 
An author, newspaper columnist, television commentator and radio host, Albom may be best known for his New York Times best sellers’ “Tuesdays with Morrie,” “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” and “For One More Day.” The three books were also made into successful television films.
 
A devoted community activist, Albom founded and manages three charities near his home in Detroit. He also raises money for literacy projects by performing with The Rock Bottom Remainders, a band made up of writers including Steven King, Dave Barry, Scott Turrow, Amy Tan and Ridley Pearson.
 
For ticket information and a full Celebration schedule, visit the Oklahoma Poets and Writers web site at poetsandwriters.okstate.edu or call the Center's executive director, Teresa Miller, at 918-594-8215.