The Plays the Thing
The Tennessee Williams Annual Review 2026 is now out. Published by the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC), the review has highlighted short works, essays and reviews from authors paying homage to the famous playwright, as well as some previously unpublished works by Williams, since 1998. This year’s collection includes contributions from south Louisiana writer, director and teacher Stephen Cedars, nonfiction author and literary scholar Ellen F. Brown, stage and film actor Maxim M. Gudkov, and many more. According to the HNOC, the review includes, “Essays [that] explore piracy, Soviet criticism, Williams’s financial struggles as a young writer, recent stage productions, and new books.” hnoc.org
Get Write!
Third Lantern Lit is a collective of writers that work to promote community and collaboration through retreats, get-togethers, writing events and more. The nonprofit supports writers of all backgrounds and stages, with workshops that are free and open to the public and recently reported that it was able to host more than 70 events in 2025. Upcoming events include a “Generative Writing Series” meeting at Miel Brewery on May 26 and a “Daytime Get Lit: A Writing Series” on May 29 at Sports Drink Café and Comedy Club. Sign up to the group’s newsletter to stay informed on all upcoming events, how to join, donate and more. Thirdlanternlit.org
Bookstore Purrfection
New Orleans’ own bookstore celebrity, Kitty Meow, is being featured in a new book, “Book Shop Cats” by Daphne Du Meowier. Kitty Meow, who was recently celebrated with a very special retirement party at her place of business, Blue Cypress Books, has become a local star for her hard work tending books and catching rays of sunshine. “Book Shop Cats” also features busy felines at shops across the U.S., including Austin, Texas, Seattle, Washington and Minneapolis, Minnesota. bluecypressbooks.com
Events
May 7 | Writer Marjan Kamali answers questions and presents a virtual discussion of her book “The Lion Women of Tehran,” hosted by the New Orleans Public Library, 6 to 7 p.m. Register in advance to receive the link to participate and submit questions. nolalibrary.org
May 9 | The Garden District Book Shop presents an evening with Kathryn Stockett, writer of the best-selling novel “The Help,” 5 p.m. at Academy of Sacred Heart. Stockett will discuss her latest work, “The Calamity Club.” Tickets to the event include a reserved copy of the book. gardendistrictbookshop.com
May 13 | Blue Cypress Books’ Girl Dinner book club hosts its latest get-together at 7 p.m. Girl Dinner meets quarterly to discuss “sad girl lit fic” along with “girl dinner” eats and drinks. The quarterly events are ticketed, with seats limited to 12 to 15 participants and sell out quickly. Be sure to follow @blue_cypress_books for updates on book titles and ticket availability. bluecypressbooks.com/bookclubs/girldinner
May 19 | National Book Award-winning writer Jesmyn Ward presents a rare in-person Author Talk & Signing, hosted by Baldwin & Co., 6 to 8 p.m. Ward will discuss her latest work “On Witness and Respair: Essays.” The event is ticketed, with space limited. baldwinandcobooks.com
