HISTORY
Passion and purpose for literary enlightenment in Arizona
The idea to start a Literary Society in Arizona originated with two Northern Trust Bank executives, and in 2005, the Literary and Prologue Society of the Southwest became an Arizona non-profit organization. The inaugural Literary Society luncheon in November 2007 hosted Author J. A. Jance presenting her book, a murder mystery,Web of Evil. During exciting annual seasons from fall through spring, members have enjoyed award-winning authors hosted at notable Arizona locations in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tucson.
In the spring of 2020, the organization's leadership officially transitioned to an independent, member-run board of directors. The Literary Society of the Southwest's board remains committed to showcasing new and seasoned authors and making impactful community grants, supported by 600 generous members with their memberships and donations, as well as by donations and sponsorships from individuals, corporations, and companies in Arizona. Together, we remain devoted to our mission of supporting the appreciation of literature and providing grants to community organizations with a literacy mission.
Annual Management and Financial Review
The LSSW fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. The report highlighting the financial and managerial outcomes for the year can be found here. The Federal 990 tax return for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, can be found here.
Past Management and Financial Reviews
Past Authors
2021-2022 Season
2020-2021 Season
2019-2020 Season
2018-2019 SEASONCharmaine Craig – Miss Burma Tayari Jones – An American Marriage Susan Orlean – The Library Book Madeline Miller – Circe Willy Vlautin – Don’t Skip Out on Me Evan Thomas – First: Sandra Day O’Connor: An Intimate Portrait of the First Woman Supreme Court Justice 2017-2018 SEASONKate Moore – The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women Tracy Kidder – A Truck Full of Money: One Man’s Quest to Recover from Great Success Joshua Hammer – The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu: And Their Race to Save the World’s Most Precious Manuscripts Ellen Umansky – The Fortunate Ones: A Novel Ronald White – American Ulysses: A Life of Ulysses S. Grant Victor Lodato – Edgar & Lucy 2016-2017 SEASONAnthony Marra – The Tsar of Love and Techno Ann Goldstein translated for Elena Ferrante – Frantumaglia: A Writer’s Journey Paula McClain – Circling the Sun Douglas Waller – Disciples: The World War II Missions of the CIA Directors Who Fought for Wild Bill Donovan Allison Pataki – Sisi: Empress on Her Own Janice Nimura – Daughters of the Samurai: A Journey from East to West and Back 2015-2016 SEASONKaren Joy Fowler – We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves Eric Foner – Gateway to Freedom: Hidden History of the Underground Railroad Greg O’Brien – On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s Aline Ohanesian – Orhan’s Inheritance Dean Jobb – Empire of Deception: The Incredible Story of a Master Swindler Elizabeth Berg – The Dream Lover 2014-2015 SEASONMeg Wolitzer – The Interestings Peter Heller – The Painter Melanie Benjamin – The Aviator’s Wife Laila Lalami – The Moor’s Account Scott Anderson – Lawrence In Arabia 2013-2014 SEASONMark Helprin – In Sunlight and in Shadow Colum McCann – Transatlantic: A Novel Sena Jeter Naslund – The Fountain of Saint James Court Vaddey Ratner – In the Shadow of the Banyon B. A. Shapiro – The Art Forger 2012-2013 SEASONAmor Towles – Rules of Civility Tatjana Soli – The Forgetting Tree Geraldine Brooks – Caleb’s Crossing Robert Massie – Catherine the Great Luis Alberto Urrea – Queen of America 2011-2012 SEASONJennet Conant – A Covert Affair Thrity Umrigar – The Space Between Us Arthur Phillips – The Tragedy of Arthur James Robertson – The Untold Civil War Alexandra Fuller – Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness 2010-2011 SEASONPaul Harding – Tinkers Paul Theroux – A Dead Hand Billy Collins – Ballistics Alice Hoffman – The Red Garden Daniel Okrent – Last Call 2009-2010 SEASONNancy Horan – Loving Frank Vince Flynn – Pursuit of Honor Elizabeth Strout – Olive Kitteridge Michael Gross – Rogues’ Gallery Julia Glass – I See You Everywhere |
Author Patrick Radden Keefe with member, Ann Burnett, at El Charro in 2023. |
Passion and purpose for literary enlightenment in Arizona |
Literary Society of the SouthwestMISSIONCelebrate contemporary literature and authors and promote the cause of literacy in Arizona. VISION Bring the joy and lifelong benefits of reading to all!
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