American Voice in Literature Weekend
November 6 • 4:00 pm - November 7 • 11:00 pm
Since 2016, the Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award has honored writers who tell American stories in a uniquely American voice.
This November, we mark ten years of the Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award. Join us on Friday November 6 for a celebration honoring this year’s award winner and Saturday November 7 for a symposium on creative writing in the age of AI. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets to both events.
November 6: The Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award Celebration
First presented in 2016, the Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award is one of the nation’s leading literary honors. The award carries a $25,000 cash prize, underwritten by David and Michelle Baldacci, and recognizes distinguished fiction that tells American stories in a uniquely American voice — one that reflects Mark Twain’s incisive curiosity and humanity.
This year’s ceremony marks the 10th anniversary of the award. The evening includes an exclusive 25-person VIP reception inside the Mark Twain House, a pre-program reception in Hal Holbrook Hall, and the award presentation before an audience of 175 readers, writers, and friends of the museum.
Purchase tickets to the MTAVL Award Ceremony here.
Meet the 2026 AVL judges.
Learn more about the award.
November 7: Creative Writing in the Age of AI Symposium
Purchase in-person and live streaming tickets.
Join us on Saturday November 7th from 9:30am to 3pm for Creative Writing in the Age of AI at The Mark Twain House & Museum and live streaming.
This day-long symposium will explore the philosophical, ethical, and legal aspects of generative AI and human creativity, the experiences of established and aspiring authors and editors in this critical moment, and the ways generative AI is reshaping how we read, engage with, and teach the literary arts. Gathering together scholars, authors, editors, educators, and critics from around the country, we’ll explore how generative AI prompts us to think more about creative writing, what we value about it, and how we can best uphold those values going forward.
