Richland Library to Famed Writer and Executive Producer, Walter Mosley

Join Richland Library as award-winning writer Walter Mosley shares his expertise during an after-hours Meet The Author event at Richland Library Main (1431 Assembly Street Columbia, 29201) from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, November 3.

Mosely is one of the most versatile and admired writers in the nation. He has authored over 60 critically acclaimed books that have been translated into 25 languages. His work includes literary fiction, science fiction, non-fiction and political monographs. His writing skills captured FX audiences in the 2017-2023 hit crime-drama series, “Snowfall”. While his writing spans many genres and mediums, during this Meet the Author event, Mosley will discuss mystery writing as renowned poet Nikky Finney guides the conversation.

Mosely’s impact on the world literature far surpasses his creative talents. Birthed from his concern of the lack of diversity in all levels of publishing, Mosely’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion resulted in The Publishing Certificate Program at City University of New York. The program aims to bring together book professionals and students from diverse racial, ethnic, and economic communities to support courses, internships, and job opportunities.

Inducted into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame in 2013, Mosely is the winner of numerous awards, including an O. Henry Award, The Mystery Writers of America’s Grand Master Award, a Grammy®, several NAACP Image awards, and PEN America’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2020, he was named the recipient of the Robert Kirsch Award for lifetime achievement from Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.

The author talk will be followed by a reception, book sale and book signing.

This event is a part of Richland Library’s Broader Bookshelf Reading Challenge, which encourages readers to expand their bookshelves and seek out new authors and challenging subjects.

About the Moderator

South Carolina native and renowned poet and professor Nikky Finney has spent her career illuminating southern cultural and political heritage of Black people in ways that resonate throughout the country and world. She has written six books and hundreds of poems and essays that explore and confront the experiences that have shaped life in the South for herself and countless other African Americans.

Finney is a Chancellor of the American Academy of Poets and is an American Academy of Arts and Letters inductee. She holds the John H. Bennett, Jr. Chair in Creative Writing and Southern Literature and a Carolina Distinguished Professorship at the University of South Carolina. 

For questions, please contact Anika Thomas at 803-530-4621 or [email protected]

About Richland Library

Awarded the National Medal in 2017 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Richland Library is a vibrant, contemporary organization that provides resources and information that advance the Midlands. Offering state-of-the-art technology, a variety of literary and cultural programs and 13 bustling facilities located throughout the county, Richland Library provides a truly customizable, modern library experience for residents and visitors alike.