Written by Joe Armstrong, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library
An award-winning author who expertly intertwines history, storytelling, and her keen understanding of the human experience is set to bring her unique voice and expertise as the Library's next Writer-in-Residence.
Bestselling author TaraShea Nesbit has been named the 2024 CHPL Writer-in-Residence by The Library Foundation.
Nesbit is the author of The Wives of Los Alamos, a finalist for the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize and a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, and Beheld, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, opens a new window (access with your Library card), and Publishers Weekly Best Fiction Book of 2020. Nesbit’s writing has been featured in Granta, The New York Times, The Guardian, opens a new window, and elsewhere. She is an associate professor of creative writing at Miami University and lives in Cincinnati with her family. Check out Nesbit's books available at the Library:
The Library's Literary Ambassador
"Modern libraries offer more than wonderous books," Nesbit says, "now, one can borrow a telescope and, both figuratively through literature and literally through telescope rentals, explore the stars. It is at the library that we embark on our dreams."
As Writer-in-Residence, opens a new window, Nesbit will be the Library's literary ambassador to the community by fostering engagement between the Library and local writers, providing instruction on the craft of writing, both online and in-person, and serving as the Library’s representative in the local literary arts scene. Throughout 2024, she will focus on sharing how libraries have expanded from their traditional offerings to a place where communities can be inspired to discover more.
"I am honored to carry forward the torch passed to me by Manuel Iris as the 2024 Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library Writer in Residence," Nesbit says, "I eagerly anticipate immersing myself in the diverse and engaged community of writers, learning from each other, and creating space for everyone who wants to tell a story or write a poem, to write it. In the upcoming year, I am excited to curate three significant events, engage in podcast conversations with accomplished writers, and share blog posts focused on the craft of writing. I look forward to all the writing we will do together!"
On "Inside the Writer's Head," a podcast hosted by CHPL's Writer-in-Residence and available on the CHPL blog, she'll be in conversation with the greatest working writers of our time, discussing topics like the publishing world, to self-publish or not, writing from a non-human perspective, what to do when one finds oneself creatively stuck, and poetry today.
Nesbit will also host free library workshops covering topics like storytelling with Taylor Swift's music, worldbuilding, and writing historical fiction. Be the first to know when these workshops are happening by visiting the Writer-in-Residence page, CHPL.org/writer.
Charitable donations support the Writer-in-Residence program, including the generous contributions of Naomi Tucker Gerwin and The Library Foundation.
Special thanks go out to the Writer-in-Residence Selection Committee: Emma Carlson Berne, Mike Boberg, Tiffani Carter, Staci Dennison, Naomi Tucker Gerwin, Dan Hurley, Ed Loyd, Dani McClain, Kara Sanders.
Learn more about CHPL’s Writer-in-Residence and upcoming events with 2024 Writer-in-Residence TaraShea Nesbit on our website, opens a new window.
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