The National Writers Series will host five virtual author events for its summer 2021 lineup, the organization announced Tuesday.

The season kicks off June 10 with Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass, a best-selling collection of ecological essays. The event is presented in partnership with For Love of Water (FLOW) and will feature an opening blessing by Chairman David M. Arroyo of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. The guest host is Matthew L.M. Fletcher, foundation professor of law at Michigan State University College of Law, director of the Indigenous Law and Policy Center, and a frequent instructor at the Pre-Law Summer Institute for American Indian students.

On June 24, best-selling author Emily Henry will discuss her new book People We Meet on Vacation, which has been named a Most Anticipated Book of 2021 by Newsweek, Oprah Magazine, Marie Claire, Parade, and Good Housekeeping. The guest host for this event is Brittany Cavallaro, best-selling author of the Charlotte Holmes novels and new novel Muse. Cavallaro currently teaches creative writing at the Interlochen Arts Academy.

On July 8, Dax Devlon-Ross will discuss his new book Letters to My White Male Friends, a book that "isn’t just for men, but for anyone who wants to find tangible ways to be part of the solution in their workplace, community, family, and, most importantly, in themselves," according to the National Writers Series. The conversation will be guided by Courtney Wiggins, a community organizer, healer, and founding council member of Northern Michigan E3: Educate, Elevate, and Engage, the community partner for the event.

On July 22, Megan Miranda will discuss her new suspense novel, The Last House Guest, about a mysterious murder in an idyllic and close-knit neighborhood. The book is a Reese Witherspoon Book Club selection. The guest host for the event will be best-selling author Riley Sager, creator of novels including The Last Time I Lied, Lock Every Door, and Home Before Dark.

The season will close on August 5 with a visit from Susie Yang, author of White Ivy - named one of the Best Books of 2020 (USA Today) and longlisted for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize. The book was selected as a Read with Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick and listed as one of the Most Anticipated Books by Entertainment Weekly, O Magazine, Time Magazine, Glamour, Vogue, The Washington Post, and Buzzfeed. The guest host for the event will be award-winning NPR journalist and best-selling author Aarti Shahani, who appeared at the National Writers Series in 2019 with her book Here We Are.

Most National Writers Series virtual events are free with a $10 suggested donation, which supports the Raising Writers programs. Each event starts on Zoom at 7pm. Registration is now open online.