Acclaimed authors Percival Everett and David Mas Masumoto [Photo credit: Pasadena Literary Alliance]
Everett, the author behind the book that inspired the Academy Award-winning film “American Fiction,” will be joined by Masumoto, celebrated for his works “Epitaph for a Peach” and “Secret Harvests.” The two literary luminaries will engage in a discussion on identity in literature, drawing from their years of shared literary kinship.
Everett, a Distinguished Professor of English at the University of Southern California, has authored more than 30 books of fiction and poetry. Known for his satirical approach to exploring race and identity issues in the United States, Everett has described himself as “pathologically ironic.”
His recent work, “James,” reimagines Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” from the perspective of the runaway slave Jim. Everett has worked in various genres including western fiction, mysteries, thrillers, satire, philosophical fiction, and poetry. His accolades include the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award, the Windham-Campbell Prize for Fiction, Creative Capital and Guggenheim awards, and finalist nominations for the Pulitzer Prize, Booker Prize, and PEN/Faulkner Award.
Masumoto, a third-generation farmer, cultivates peaches, nectarines, grapes, and raisins on an organic 80-acre farm south of Fresno, California. He has authored 12 books and contributes columns to The Fresno Bee and The Sacramento Bee. His writing has also appeared in USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time magazine, and The New York Times.
His writing has garnered numerous awards, including the Commonwealth Club Silver medal, Julia Child Cookbook Award, and James Clavell Literacy Award. He has also been a finalist for the James Beard Foundation Awards. Masumoto has served on the National Endowment for the Arts Board and received the “Award of Distinction” from UC Davis.
Aimee Liu, author of “Glorious Boy,” will moderate the conversation. The event will feature a pre-hosted happy hour with appetizers, followed by the main dialogue, a Q&A session, and a book signing opportunity for attendees.
The Open Book series, an extension of the Pasadena Festival of Women Authors, aims to provide diverse literary experiences for the community. It showcases both established and emerging authors in settings that complement their work and foster engagement with attendees.
Red Hen Press, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024, has partnered with Open Book for this event. As a longtime poetry publisher of Everett, the press has published over 600 titles, focusing on highlighting underrepresented stories and authors.
Tickets for the event are priced at $60 for general admission and $35 for students and educators. The cost includes access to the pre-program hosted happy hour with appetizers and ongoing support of Pasadena Literary Alliance grantees.
To purchase tickets, visit www.pasadenaliteraryalliance.org/open-book.
