Internationally renowned novelist and short-story writer Richard Ford is coming to Tulsa in December to receive the 2017 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award.
Ford has delighted readers around the world for the past 40 years with his portrayal of everyday contemporary middle-class American life in such works as the critically acclaimed “The Sportswriter,” “Independence Day,” “The Lay of the Land” and “Let Me Be Frank With You.” Earlier this year, he released his first nonfiction title, “Between Them: Remembering My Parents,” an eloquent memoir which has received many favorable reviews.
For his distinguished body of work and major contribution to the field of literature and letters, the Tulsa City-County Library and Tulsa Library Trust will honor Ford with the 33rd annual Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award, which consists of a $40,000 cash prize and engraved crystal book. He will receive the award at a black-tie gala on Friday, Dec. 1 and will give a free public address on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 10:30 a.m. Both events will take place at Central Library, Fifth Street and Denver Avenue.
To complement Ford’s visit to Tulsa, the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries will offer “A Richard Ford Sampler” as a part of its popular Books Sandwiched In series on Monday, Nov. 27 at 12:10 p.m. at Central Library in Aaronson Auditorium. Adrian Alexander, dean of the University of Tulsa’s McFarlin Library and chair of the Distinguished Author Award Selection Committee, will review a selection of Ford’s work, highlighting its significance and impact.
For more information about Ford’s visit to Tulsa or the Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award, visit www.helmerichaward.org or call 918-549-7323.