Reading and discussion with poet Diannely Antigua, novelist Brinda Charry, and writer for children and young adults, David Elliott. Free and open to the public.
The N.H. Chapter of Writers for Democratic Action presents an evening of readings by stellar N.H. authors on belonging and democracy at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord, N.H. They will be joined at the event on October 23, 2026 at 6:30 PM by a group of new Americans recently arrived in N.H. who will share their experience of democracy and hopes for their new country. The night will conclude with a presentation from ACLU-NH on protecting immigrant rights. There will be time for questions and discussion as we gather to celebrate our heritage as a nation of immigrants and learn how immigrant rights are being protected in our state. The event is co-sponsored by ACLU-NH and Open Democracy.
Diannely Antigua is a queer Dominican American poet and educator born in Massachusetts. She served as the 13th Poet Laureate of Portsmouth, NH, first person of color to receive the title. She is the author of the collections Ugly Music (YesYes Books, 2019), which won a 2020 Whiting Award, and Good Monster (Copper Canyon Press, 2024).
Brinda Charry came to the United States from India as a graduate student in 1999 and has been living here since. The East Indian, her first work of fiction published in the United States, was awarded the Society of American Historians Prize (formerly the James Fenimore Cooper Prize) for Historical Fiction, followed by her 2026 historical novel, Hocus Pocus.
David Elliott is the award-winning author of over thirty-five picture books and novels for young people, including The New York Times bestselling And Here’s to You!. He is also the author of three critically acclaimed YA verse novels: Bull; Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc; and The Seventh Raven. His most recent book, Bonebag, a middle grade novel co-written with his son, Eli, received starred reviews from both Booklist and Kirkus.
Writers for Democratic Action is a national organization of writers, readers, librarians, and booksellers devoted to protecting democracy. As an all-volunteer organization, WDA welcomes all to become members and to join in events and initiatives at the state and national level. Learn more here.
Contact: Katherine Towler, Chair N.H. Chapter of Writers for Democratic Action
Email: katie@katherinetowler.com
