An Evening With Author Colson Whitehead

An Evening With Author Colson Whitehead

Presented by the Lillian Louise Pharr Endowment Fund

Author Colson Whitehead in a dark leather jacket, leaning forward with arms crossed against a light blue background

Thursday, January 28, 2027, 7:30 p.m.
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Steinmetz Hall

Join Orange County Library System for an unforgettable evening with one of the most celebrated and versatile voices in contemporary American literature. A two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys, Colson Whitehead is also the recipient of the National Book Award, a MacArthur Fellowship and the National Humanities Medal.

His acclaimed body of work spans historical fiction, speculative fiction, satire and crime, continually reinventing genre while exploring the complexities of American life with insight, imagination and wit.


Tickets go on sale November 6.

Whitehead is also the author of Harlem Shuffle and Crook Manifesto, the first two novels in his acclaimed Harlem Trilogy, which concludes with his newest novel, Cool Machine. During this special evening, Whitehead will reflect on his remarkable career, the ideas and inspirations behind his work, and the creative process that has produced some of the most acclaimed fiction of the past two decades.

Ask the Author

Audience members are invited to submit questions for Colson Whitehead in advance. Selected questions may be read and answered by Whitehead during the event.

The Lillian Louise Pharr Author Series was established through a generous donation to the Friends of the Orange County Library System by the late Roger Pharr. An Orlando native, tennis legend and former Orlando Public Library volunteer, Mr. Pharr made the endowment in honor of his mother, enabling the library to bring exceptional authors and meaningful conversations to the Orlando community.

Previous Author Series Events

Photograph of author, Nicholas Sparks. Smiling white man with short brown hair, wearing a grey zip up long sleave shirt over a t-shirt with white and grey stripes.

Saturday, January 17, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

Nicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved authors, and we are honored to welcome him as our next Lillian Louise Pharr Signature Author Series featured author.

In The News

John Green author

Friday, January 24, 2025, 8 p.m.
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

Enjoy an evening with New York Times bestselling author John Green. Explore his literary journey, inspirations, and creative process through an engaging, moderated conversation.

In The News

Author Colson Whitehead in a dark leather jacket, leaning forward with arms crossed against a light blue background

Thursday, January 28, 2027, 7:30 p.m.
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Steinmetz Hall

Join Orange County Library System for an unforgettable evening with one of the most celebrated and versatile voices in contemporary American literature. A two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys, Colson Whitehead is also the recipient of the National Book Award, a MacArthur Fellowship and the National Humanities Medal. His acclaimed body of work spans historical fiction, speculative fiction, satire and crime, continually reinventing genre while exploring the complexities of American life with insight, imagination and wit.

Whitehead is also the author of Harlem Shuffle and Crook Manifesto, the first two novels in his acclaimed Harlem Trilogy, which concludes with his newest novel, Cool Machine. During this special evening, Whitehead will reflect on his remarkable career, the ideas and inspirations behind his work, and the creative process that has produced some of the most acclaimed fiction of the past two decades.

Audience members are invited to submit questions for Colson Whitehead in advance through the Orange County Library System website at ocls.org/signatureauthor. Selected questions may be read and answered by Whitehead during the event.

Tickets go on sale November 6.

Author Colson Whitehead in a dark leather jacket, leaning forward with arms crossed against a light blue background

Thursday, January 28, 2027, 7:30 p.m.
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Steinmetz Hall

Join Orange County Library System for an unforgettable evening with one of the most celebrated and versatile voices in contemporary American literature. A two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys, Colson Whitehead is also the recipient of the National Book Award, a MacArthur Fellowship and the National Humanities Medal. His acclaimed body of work spans historical fiction, speculative fiction, satire and crime, continually reinventing genre while exploring the complexities of American life with insight, imagination and wit.

Purchase Tickets

Audience members are invited to submit questions for Colson Whitehead in advance through the Orange County Library System website at ocls.org/signatureauthor. Selected questions may be read and answered by Whitehead during the event.

Tickets go on sale November 6.

Photograph of author, Nicholas Sparks. Smiling white man with short brown hair, wearing a grey zip up long sleave shirt over a t-shirt with white and grey stripes.

Saturday, January 17, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Steinmetz Hall

Nicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved authors, and we are honored to welcome him as our next Lillian Louise Pharr Signature Author Series featured author. His presence is sure to draw a wide and enthusiastic audience, making this an exciting opportunity for the library and the community. His new book, Remain, will be released on October 14, 2025.

Please note: There will not be a book sale or signing at this event.

Use code SPARKSBOGO for buy one, get one free ticket offer. Apply the promo code as you choose seats, before proceeding to payment.

Purchase Tickets