inspiring readers and writers. 30 YEARS ANNUAL REPORT 2012–2013 Every now and then, you experience a perfect Salter gave a magnificent reading and was DEAR FRIENDS birthday party. I think Inprint had one on interviewed on stage by novelist Antonya May 6, 2013, celebrating its 30th anniversary Nelson, who is co-holder of the Cullen AND SUPPORTERS with a reading by the extraordinary writer Foundation Chair in Creative Writing at the James Salter. University of Houston and a great admirer of his work. He later conveyed to us that this OF INPRINT, What a night. And what a thrill for Inprint was one of the two most thrilling readings when Salter accepted our invitation to read he’s given in his life—the venue, the crowd, from All That Is, his first novel in 34 years. their attention. According to his publicist, the Houston engagement was to be one of two events My favorite part of the evening: after the for the new book outside of the New York reading, the audience was invited to Inprint area. The Menil Collection was delighted House, where Salter signed books and to host the reading, which was kind and fans and friends enjoyed champagne and wonderfully apropos. After all, Inprint has cupcakes topped with the Inprint logo, in been a proud resident organization on the celebration of our 30th. It was amazing and Menil campus since 1991. wonderful to see that many people in and around Inprint House—all devoted to great What better way to celebrate the 30th books and great writing, and happy to help anniversary of Inprint? Salter had been on celebrate this joyous occasion. our “wish list” for years. He is one of the most respected and revered living writers, and Inprint has a habit of creating unforgettable most of all, he has maintained the highest nights. I don’t think the brave visionary souls artistic standards throughout his long and who launched Inprint ever imagined that the rich career. organization would grow as it has to occupy such a meaningful cultural space in the city. The late spring publication of All That Is To our founders, our leaders, our support- was a significant event. Articles and reviews ers, and most of all our writers and readers, appeared in magazines and newspapers we offer our thanks for 30 years of literary across the country, the internet was buzzing, adventures. We look forward to more to come. and The New Yorker ran a major profile on Salter and his work. The reading was taking on the feel of a rock concert: the free tick- Sincerely, ets for Salter’s appearance “sold out” within minutes of their being released. Consuelo Duroc-Danner The night came, and the gods smiled on us: it president was a clear, mild May evening, the museum foyer was full with people, and speakers set outside enabled many more to spread blankets and sit in folding chairs on the museum’s lawn, with a view of the stage through the front windows. 3 READINGS INPRINT MARGARETT ROOT BROWN READING SERIES 2012/2013 INPRINT dave einsel dave MARGARETT ROOT BROWN READING SERIES AUTHORS Junot Diaz dave einsel dave T. C. Boyle Pulitzer Prize winning fiction writer Emma Donoghue & Hari Kunzru MiCHaEL CHaBon appeared in the Series Michael Chabon on January 28, 2013, giving an engaging Kim Addonizio & Terrance Hayes reading from his novel Telegraph Avenue A LOOK BACK AT THE Amber Dermont & Jesmyn Ward to an audience of 700 at the Alley Theatre. 30TH ANNIVERSARY Jonathan Lethem & John Jeremiah Sullivan After the reading, which sold out in advance, SEASON Special event with James Salter Chabon was interviewed onstage by UH CWP The year 2013 marked faculty member Mat Johnson. a special milestone The Inprint Margarett Root Brown Reading Series for Inprint as we continues to rank among the nation’s premier literary “ As a newcomer to Houston, I am blown celebrated 30 years showcases, with a 2012–2013 season that featured 12 of the world’s most accomplished writers, including away by the quality, level of attendance, of inspiring readers winners of two Pulitzer prizes, three National Book and rejuvenation I feel from attending.” and writers in Houston Awards, two National Book Critics Circle Awards, and and beyond. Thanks to two MacArthur “genius” fellowships. More than 4,500 the generosity of our enthusiastic readers and writers attended the events, which featured literary stars such as Junot Díaz, donors, Inprint readings, Michael Chabon, Jonathan Lethem, Amber Dermont, dave einsel dave writing workshops, and Emma Donoghue, Hari Kunzru, Jesmyn Ward, and community programs others whose work is shaping the contemporary HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SEASON literary landscape. The Series received spectacular continue to thrive, The season opened on September 24, 2012, media coverage. Ticket prices remained the same, a serving more than 10,000 with Pulitzer Prize-winning fiction writer modest $5 for general admission—unchanged since people last year. junot diaz, reading from his story collection 1980—with free tickets for students and seniors when dave einsel This Is How You Lose Her to a sold out crowd available. An eighth reading, offered free of charge of 1,100 at Cullen Theater, Wortham Center, A memorable evening of poetry took place on and featuring James Salter, was added at The Menil Thanks to Inprint’s many contribu- the largest audience for his nationwide book February 25, 2013, with poet KiM addonizio Collection in May as a special event in celebration tions to the literary arts over the past tour. After the reading, he participated in a and National Book Award winner tERRanCE of Inprint’s 30th anniversary. Some of the featured three decades, the Houston Chronicle lively on-stage interview conducted by UH HaYS, at The Menil Collection. The sold- writers also met with students at the University of noted that “Houston increasingly is Creative Writing Program (UH CWP) faculty out reading was followed by an on-stage Houston, Houston Community College, and Texas seen as a center for the written word.” member Alexander Parsons, took questions conversation with UH CWP faculty member Southern University. (June 3, 2013) from the audience, and signed books for fans Tony Hoagland. Addonizio played the blues waiting in a line that snaked through the harmonica to accompany part of her reading. Wortham’s Grand Foyer. 4 5 “ We have found the Inprint INPRINT READINGS Reading Series to be FOR YOUNG PEOPLE one of our favorite cultural On March 25, 2013, at the Hobby Center, the activities in Houston.” Series featured two fiction writers,New York Times Notable author and UH Creative Writing Program alum aMBER dERMont and National Book Award winner jESMYn WaRd. Dermont read from her new story collection Damage Control, and Ward from her novel Salvage the Bones. Both were interviewed on-stage by UH Cullen Foundation Co-chair in Creative Writing Robert Boswell. dave einsel dave einsel The season continued on April 22, 2013, with New York Times bestselling authors JONATHan LEtHEM and joHn jEREMiaH kim christensen SuLLiVan reading from their books The Ecstasy of Influence On October 14, 2012, Cool Brains! Inprint Readings for Cool Brains! Inprint Readings for Young and Pulphead to an audience of more than 500 at the Alley Young People presented beloved two-time Newbery People, featuring the nation’s leading mid- Medal-winner LOIS LOWRY. Lowry talked about and read Theatre. Lethem and Sullivan were interviewed onstage dle-grade authors, had a banner season. from Son, the fourth and final book in the bestsellingThe by Jake Silverstein, editor-in-chief of Texas Monthly. The Giver series, to an audience of 600. Readings are free of charge and were again evening began with about 120 people gathering for Books hosted by HISD’s Johnston Middle School. rm photography & Bellinis: Inprint’s Young Professionals Mixer, chaired by Each event features the author making a Marc Eichenbaum (pictured on right with Inprint Chairman presentation and reading from his/her work, Matt Henneman). followed by questions from the audience and a book sale and signing at which young fans “ I absolutely love the Inprint Series. can meet their literary heroes. Book signings often last more than two hours. The series Thank you for opening my mind to a continues to gain popularity, and over the past year kids boarded buses from Pasadena, variety of literature.” College Station, and other surrounding areas rm photography to hear their favorite authors—a first-time dave einsel On May 6, 2013, at The Menil Collection, the revered 87-year- book reading and potentially life-chang- old author jaMES SaLtER gave a reading as a special event ing experience for many. Cool Brains! is of the Series to help celebrate Inprint’s 30th anniversary. presented in association with the Houston Salter read from his new novel All That Is, followed by an Independent School District Library Services, on-stage interview conducted by UH Cullen Foundation alex barber Houston Public Library, and Harris County Co-chair in Creative Writing Antonya Nelson. More than Public Library, all providing promotional 250 people attended the sold-out reading, many sitting on support for the readings. The Menil Collection’s expansive lawn (Inprint arranged for the sound to be broadcast outside)—and more than 150 joined him at Inprint House afterwards to have books signed. On February 24, 2013, National Ambassador for Children’s Salter’s Inprint reading was only one of two he gave outside Literature JON SCIESZKA, author of 25 books and founder dave einsel dave of the “Guys Read” initiative, made a presentation about of the New York area for the novel. his writing and gave a reading from his third book in the Spaceheadz series with 350 enthusiastic fans in attendance.