In a conversation moderated by fellow Newton author Bill Novak, Joan Leegant will talk about the pleasures and perils of writing short fiction and the creative process behind her latest collection, Displaced Persons—where the stories come from, writing without a plan, and why writing isn’t the same as thinking.

Joan Leegant's newest book, Displaced Persons, Stories, is the winner of the New American Fiction prize and a finalist for the 2025 National Jewish Book Award for Fiction. Joan is also the author of An Hour in Paradise, winner of the PEN/New England Book Award, the Wallant Award for Jewish Fiction, and finalist for the 2003 National Jewish Book Award; and a novel, Wherever You Go. Formerly a lawyer, Joan taught writing at Harvard, Oklahoma State, and Cornish College in Seattle. For five years she was the visiting writer at Bar-Ilan University outside Tel Aviv, where she lectured on American literature and culture under the auspices of the U.S. State Department, and was a volunteer ESL teacher for African refugees and asylum seekers--experiences that made their way into her stories. A long time resident of Newton, Joan began writing fiction at age forty.

Copies of Displaced Persons will be available for purchase and signing courtesy of Newtonville Books.

Registration is encouraged, and you'll get a reminder if you sign up. Walk-ins are also welcome.