KENTUCKY AUTHOR FORUM INC

Five events were staged during the 2024-2025 season which included major authors and covered diverse and significant topics. Nearly 2,800 people attended. Events were recorded for national public television distribution, podcast, and online access. The first event featured bestselling author Amor Towles discussing his collection of short stories, "Table for Two," with New York Times book critic Alexandra Jacobs. The second event included singer-songwriter and activist, Joan Baez, being interviewed about her book of poetry, "When You See My Mother, Ask Her to Dance", by popular radio and podcast host Diane Rehm. The third event had CNN's Chief National Security Analyst, Jim Sciutto, talking with New York Times' longtime foreign correspondent, Jane Perlez, about his book, "The Return of Great Powers." The fourth event presented author, journalist and filmmaker, Sebastian Junger, examining the near death experience covered in his book, "In My Time of Dying," with National Public Radio host Rachel Martin. The final event of the season was award-winning author Colm Toibin exploring his novel, "Long Island," with Kentucky Poet Laureate Silas House.

All staged events are recorded for national distribution via public television ("Great Conversations"), podcast ("Great Podversations"), plus posted online. National broadcasts and online access increase both the scope and inclusiveness of those served by Forums. Kentucky Educational Television is the presenting station for "Great Conversations", and makes it available to PBS affiliates nationwide. Episodes were broadcast almost 5,300 times, reaching 81% of the United States. "Great Podversations" are produced by Kentucky Author Forum and distributed by Louisville Public Media. Production began in 2020 so the Forum could continue fulfilling its mission during a time when theaters were closed due to COVID-19 precautions. These free podcasts are available globally on all major podcast apps. They were downloaded over 13,000 times.