Nov. 4, 2022   TULSA, Okla. --- Due to illness, Elizabeth Strout is unable to accept the 2022 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award, given by the Tulsa City-County Library and Tulsa Library Trust. There will not be a Distinguished Author Award bestowed this year since the winner has to be present to receive the award. However, Ann Patchett, 2014 Helmerich Award winner, has graciously agreed to step in as the featured speaker for the Distinguished Author Series.

   Patchett has dazzled readers for the last three decades with her award-winning books, including The Patron Saint of Liars, Taft, the critically acclaimed The Magician’s Assistant, Bel Canto, Run, State of Wonder, Commonwealth and her most recent novel, The Dutch House. Her nonfiction work equally has intrigued readers. Titles include This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage, What Now?, Truth & Beauty: A Friendship and These Precious Days: Essays. Patchett also is the author of two children’s picture books, Lambslide and Escape Goat, both illustrated by Robin Preiss Glaser.

   Patchett will speak at the Distinguished Author Award black-tie gala on Friday, Dec. 2. Please note that the free public presentation will now take place at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1 (instead of Saturday, Dec. 3) to accommodate Patchett’s schedule. Patchett will speak, answer questions and sign autographs at the public program. Copies of her books will be available for purchase at the event. Both presentations will take place at Central Library, Fifth Street and Denver Avenue.

   “It is disappointing that Elizabeth Strout is unable to accept the award, but we look forward to a wonderful evening and a delightful public presentation,” said Peggy Helmerich. “Ann Patchett was one of our most popular authors to visit Tulsa and we greatly appreciate her willingness to step in.”

      To complement Patchett’s visit to Tulsa, the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries will offer “An Ann Patchett Sampler” as a part of its popular Books Sandwiched In series on Monday, Nov. 28 at 12:10 p.m. at Central Library in Aaronson Auditorium. Adrian Alexander, chair of the Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award author selection committee, will offer a retrospect of Patchett’s work, highlighting its significance and impact on the literary world.

   For more information about the Distinguished Author Award Series, visit www.tulsalibrary.org/helmerichaward or call 918-549-7323.

-30-