The American Writers Museum’s annual benefit, OnWord, will take place on September 29, 2026 at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago.

Special Presenter

Peter Sagal 

Author and Host of NPR’s Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!

BEYOND THE PAGE AWARD

The Helen Zell Writers’ Program at the University of Michigan

THE FOUNDER’S Inspiring Writer Award

Jesmyn Ward

Two-time National Book Award Winner and author of Sing, Unburied, Sing, Salvage the Bones, and other titles.

 

INSPIRATION AWARD 

Presented by 

Celeste Ng

to a teacher who inspired her as a writer 

Celeste Ng is an award-winning writer whose novels include Everything I Never Told You, Little Fires Everywhere, and Our Missing Hearts

 

JOHN ESTEY STUDENT WRITING COMPETITION

Celebration of Winners

NOTE: This is a ticketed fundraising event, with proceeds benefiting the American Writers Museum.