Fireside Conversation with Lucas Schaefer

This event is designed for aspiring authors in Austin who want a clear look at what it actually takes to bring a novel into the world. On Saturday, May 9th, we’ll host a small, intimate conversation with Austin novelist Lucas Schaefer, whose debut novel The Slip has quickly become one of the most talked-about literary debuts of the year. His book won the 2025 Kirkus Prize for Fiction, was named a Washington Post Top 10 Book of the Year, and appeared on the New York Times Book Review’s 100 Notable Books of 2025, in addition to becoming a USA Today national bestseller. Lucas will talk through the full arc of the book’s life: where the idea beganhow the manuscript evolvedwhat the publishing process looked likeand what surprised him once the book entered the public conversation. The format will be a fireside conversation to keep things relaxed and interactive. Our host, Perry Chiaramonte, will open with a short introduction and a few questions about Lucas’s journey writing and publishing The Slip. From there we’ll open the room for discussion so attendees can ask questions about craft, revision, agents, publishing, and the realities of debuting a novel today. Please note: attendance is limited to 20 people. The small group format will allow for a thoughtful discussion and direct access to Lucas in a setting that feels more like a literary salon than a lecture.