The University of Pittsburgh Press celebrated the 45th winner of the Drue Heinz Literature Prize with a series of events around the country promoting Bill Gaythwaite and his collection, A Place in the World. On October 9th, Left Bank Books in St. Louis hosted a reading with Gaythwaite and Ramona Reeves, winner of the 2022 DHLP.  On October 22nd, Gaythwaite traveled to Minneapolis for a conversation with Mubanga Kalimamukwento (DHLP ’24) at Magers and Quinn.   The tour concluded in Pittsburgh with two events. On October 28th, City of Asylum hosted Gaythwaite, Caroline Kim, and Kelly Sather for a conversation about the…

Pittsburgh, PA –  A celebration of the life and work of Ed Ochester took place on September 12, 2025 at 7:30pm in the Connelly Ballroom, located in Alumni Hall on the University of Pittsburgh campus. The event was emceed by former Pitt Poetry Series co-editor Terrance Hayes and featured readings, remembrances, and a discussion with some of luminaries of American poetry and the Pitt Poetry Series under Ochester’s editorship: Quan Barry, Jan Beatty, Billy Collins, Denise Duhamel, Lynn Emanuel, Ross Gay, Paisley Rekdal, and Aaron Smith. See International Poetry Forum’s footage on their Instagram feed and ours, including these of…

Pittsburgh, PA – The University of Pittsburgh Press is pleased to announce that Deborah Orgel Hudson has been named Marketing and Sales Director. Deborah Orgel Hudson brings over sixteen years of experience at Rowman & Littlefield, most recently as Director of Strategic Engagement. She has deep, hands-on experience in every aspect of book marketing, and has managed people, programs, and budgets in a variety of contexts. Her experience with trade and academic nonfiction publishing and working with booksellers, librarians, academics, and consumers will add to the Press’s existing 89-year legacy. Press Director Peter Kracht shares, “Deborah’s energy, warmth, sense of…

The second annual Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books takes place on Saturday, May 13 at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary! The Festival is free to attend, and books will be available for purchase at the University of Pittsburgh Press table. Schedule of Events: 10–11 am: Ross Gay (Chapel Auditorium) 10 am: Lynn Emanuel (Poetry Tent) 12:45 pm: Nancy Krygowski (Poetry Tent) 1–2 pm: Marylynne Pitz (Long Hall, Room 204) 1:45 pm: Jan Beatty (Poetry Tent) 2:45–3:45 pm: Kathleen George (Long Hall, Room 210) The full schedule of events can be found on the Festival website.

Today’s blog prompt for University Press Weeks asks who’s #NextUP in the world of bookselling. We love our local book stores, so we’re featuring an interview Anna Weber, who is the events director at White Whale Bookstore, an indie bookstore in Pittsburgh. Q: Tell us a little about White Whale Bookstore and why you enjoy working there.  A: White Whale Books is a family-owned, general interest, independent bookstore that focuses in particular on literary fiction and local writers. It’s a space that, since day one, has always had a warm vibe, and has always encouraged curiosity, conversation, and connection. The…