Athenaeum Literary Award Winner for Fiction

Ben Yagoda, winner of The Athenaeum of Philadelphia’s Literary Award for Fiction, discusses his biographical novel *Alias O. Henry* in conversation with David Bianculli, television critic for NPR’s *Fresh Air* and a professor of Film and Television Studies at Rowan University. Yagoda explores his research journeys through early-20th-century New York, where O. Henry developed the characters, settings, and distinctive voice featured in his work.

The program concludes with a book signing and reception. Yagoda is the author, coauthor, or editor of 15 books, including an edition of O. Henry’s short stories for the Library of America. His writing has appeared in *Slate*, *The New York Times Book Review*, *The New York Times Magazine*, *The American Scholar*, *Rolling Stone*, and *Esquire*. He lives in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.

When: Tuesday, November 17

Showtime: 6:00 PM

Venue: The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, 219 S. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3794

Event type: Speaker Series

Featured speaker: Ben Yagoda, winner of the Athenaeum Literary Award for Fiction

Conversation partner: David Bianculli, television critic for NPR’s *Fresh Air* and Professor of Film and Television Studies at Rowan University

Featured book: *Alias O. Henry*, a historical and biographical novel about O. Henry’s years in New York from 1902 to 1910

Additional program: Book signing and reception following the talk

Tickets: Free

Registration: The event is sold out and registration is closed; a waiting list is available.

Contact: 215-925-2688