Selected Shorts: Ploughshares at 50 with Claire Messud and James Wood

Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the freshest voices in contemporary American literature and continues to provide readers with thoughtful and entertaining writing curated by guest editors such as Elizabeth Strout, Celeste Ng, and Tracy K. Smith. Find out why The New York Times named Ploughshares “the Triton among minnows” as we team up to present a night of just a handful of the most engaging and surprising stories from the beloved literary journal. Hosted by husband and wife literary couple Claire Messud (The Woman Upstairs) and James Wood (How Fiction Works) and featuring performances by Joanna Gleason (The Bite), Nathan Hinton (Walking Home: A Survival Guide), Peter Mark Kendall (Strange Angel), and Karen Pittman (The Morning Show). With virtual introductions by Aimee Bender and Jamel Brinkley.

Symphony Space is committed to the health and safety of its artists, staff, and audience. The authors' books will be available for purchase, but there will not be a book signing at this event.

Since its founding 50 years ago at the Plough and Stars bar in Cambridge MA, Ploughshares literary journal has been internationally recognized for publishing original fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. The journal has been cited over 250 times by the Best American, O. Henry Prize, and Pushcart prize anthologies, among others. It has worked with over 125 prominent writers who have served as guest editors, and it has published well over 3,500 writers, many of whom have gone on to receive Nobels, Pulitzers, and National Book Awards. Ploughshares’ award-winning online publications include interviews, book reviews, and essays by guest bloggers. Each year, Ploughshares pays the writers it publishes over $50,000.

Due to a scheduling conflict, Robin Lord Taylor is no longer appearing at this event.