January 2010 update

Local authors are, as always, making us proud! Just last November, T.J. Stiles (The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt) received the National Book Award for nonfiction, and 826 Valencia founder Dave Eggers was presented with the NBA’s Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the Literary Community. A longtime Litquake supporter, Dave enjoyed a banner year in 2009, co-writing two feature film releases (Away We Go, with wife Vendela Vida, and Where the Wild Things Are with Spike Jonze) and releasing two books, Zeitoun and The Wild Things. And newcomer Josh Bazell (an M.D. in real life) saw his first book Beat the Reaper optioned for film, with Leonardo diCaprio reportedly signed to play the protagonist. Congrats to all!

We’re planning great things for our October 2010 festival, and as part of our spring fundraising season, we’re proud to announce the date of our first benefit event, with hilarious comedian Eddie Izzard!