GPL Author Talks
We're excited to offer a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders. All Author Talks are streamed live allowing for engagement with the authors. While most are virtual-only events, we will offer some group viewings.
Register for an upcoming Author Talk
Upcoming Virtual Author Talks
Virtual Author Talk with Nuestra América
Thurs | Oct 2 | 2pm
Join us in conversation with Smithsonian professionals Adrián Aldaba and Emily Key as they discuss Nuestra América and highlight inspiring stories of Latinos throughout history, as well as their incredible contributions to the cultural, social, and political character of the United States.
Virtual Author Talk with Leigh Bardugo
Thurs | Oct 9 | 7pm
Since publishing in 2015, Leigh Bardugo’s highly popular Six of Crows has taken the world of YA literature by storm–and it’s not hard to see why. The complex fantasy setting, thoughtfully-structured magic system, and deliciously morally gray characters all collide in a world you won’t want to leave and you don’t have to! Join us as we pick the brain of the New York Times bestselling author herself, celebrating the release of her Six of Crows (The Dregs Edition).
Virtual Author Talk with Malala Yousafzai
Wed | Oct 22 | 7pm
You are invited to join us online and be one of the first to hear from Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai about her astonishing memoir, Finding My Way. Malala reintroduces herself to the world, sharing how she navigated life as someone whose darkest moments threatened to define her narrative—while seeking the freedom to find out who she truly is.
Virtual Author Talk with Philippa Gregory
Wed | Oct 29 | 2pm
Coined as the “queen of British historical fiction,” Philippa Gregory returns to the infamous Tudor Court with a tale that is both timely and timeless. We invite you to sit down with us for an intriguing conversation with Gregory about her newest novel Boleyn Traitor (forthcoming October 14, 2025).
Virtual Author Talk with Joseph Lee
Wed | Nov 5 | 2pm
You’re invited to learn from journalist and author Joseph Lee as he chats online with us about his stirring memoir, Nothing More of This Land: Community, Power, and the Search for Indigenous Identity. In it, he explores Indigenous identity in proximity to land that serves as an iconic vacationing spot for the wealthy–the “island paradise” Martha’s Vineyard.
Virtual Author Talk with Amanda Peters
Thurs | Nov 13 | 7pm
Join us in an online conversation with acclaimed writer Amanda Peters as we discuss her instant bestselling novel, The Berry Pickers, as well as her tender short fiction collection, Waiting for the Long Night Moon: Stories.
Virtual Author Talk with Charles Duhigg
Tues | Nov 18 | 2pm
Get yourself primed for the holiday season and join us for an online conversation you won't want to miss! Charles Duhigg, author of the bestselling books The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better, presents the ultimate guide on how to communicate and connect with anyone at work, home, and in life in his latest work, Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection.
Virtual Author Talk with Sue Hincenbergs
Tues | Dec 2 | 2pm
Buckle up for a wild ride and join us as we sit down for an online chat with debut author Sue Hincenbergs to discuss her novel The Retirement Plan, in which murder is the name of the game. When the only thing standing between three best friends and a sunny beachfront retirement condo are their husbands, what ensues is a diabolical plan to collect on their spouses’ life insurance policies.
Virtual Author Talk with Paula J Johnson
Tues | Dec 9 | 2pm
Join us for a conversation that’s sure to warm your heart (and make your stomach rumble), as we delve into the legacy of cooking icon Julia Child with Smithsonian curator and public historian Paula J. Johnson, author of Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space. The book includes interviews with chefs who knew Julia well, commentary on her favorite culinary tools and kitchen gadgets, and a stunning array of photos.