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 2005 hosted Author Roya Hakakian discussing her best selling book Journey from the Land of No. 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 650 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 Authors
2024-2025 SEASON
2023-2024 Season
2022-2023 Season |
2021-2022 Season
2020-2021 Season |
2019-2020 Season
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 | 2008-2009 SeasonJennifer Carrell | Interred With Their Bones Harold Holzer | The Emancipation Proclamation Greg Mortenson | Three Cups of Tea Ursula Hegi | The Worst Thing I've Done Patrick Hunt | Rembrandt His Life in Art Amy Bloom | Away | 2007-2008 SeasonJ.A. Jance | Web of Evil David Nasaw | Andrew Carnegie Mary Morris | The River Queen Jim Gaines | Washington, Lafayette, and Their Revolutions Susan Vreeland | Luncheon of the Boating Party Nicholas Christopher | The Bestiary |
2006-2007 SeasonJoseph Lelyveld | Omaha Blues Mary Doria Russell | Thread of Grace Robert Alexander | Rasputin's Daughter Ann Jones | Kabul in Winter Susan Cheever | American Bloomsbury | 2005-2006 SeasonRoya Hakakian | Journey From the Land of No Chris Bohjalian | Before you Know Kindness Joe Kanon | The Alibi Elizabeth Berg | We Are All Welcome Here |
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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