Thursday, April 27th, 2023
7:30 pm–10:30 pm
6:30 pm–7:30pm
Roulette
509 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
The Literary Debutante Ball is a benefit that celebrates One Story, and salutes the publication of our literary debutantes’ first books.
Now in its 13th year, the Literary Debutante Ball features cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music and dancing. The highlight of this annual fundraiser is the formal “presentation” of One Story authors who have published their first books in the past year. The authors are escorted by one or more of their mentors: fellow authors, friends, and/or editors who have helped make their first books possible.
The ball is a joyous event that brings together all the different members of the One Story community: writers, readers, students, supporters, staff and fans.
Our 2023 Debutantes
- Isaac Blum, The Life & Crimes of Hoodie Rosen, author of OTS #21, “Cassie, Two Kids”
- Rita Chang-Eppig, Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea, author of OS #299, “Walking the Dead”
- Rachel King, Bratwurst Haven, author of OS #243, “Railing”
- Talia Lakshmi Kolluri, What We Fed to the Manticore, author of OS #291, “Let Your Body Meet the Ground”
- Gothataone Moeng, Call and Response, author of OS #269, “Small Wonders”
- David Lawrence Morse, The Book of Disbelieving, author of OS #43, “Conceived”
- Richard Mirabella, Brother & Sister Enter the Forest, author of OTS #38, “Mold”
- Josh Riedel, Please Report Your Bug Here, author of OS #261, “Midnight Sessions”
- Laura Spence-Ash, Beyond That, the Sea, author of OS #188, “The Remains”
Tania James
2023 Distinguished Alum
In addition to the Literary Debutantes, we’re also honoring a past One Story author who has gone on to make a significant contribution to literature and the literary community. The 2023 Distinguished Alum is Tania James, who published with One Story in 2007 (Issue #88, “Aerogrammes”). Tania James is the author of three works of fiction, most recently the novel The Tusk That Did the Damage (Knopf). Tusk was named a Best Book of 2015 by The San Francisco Chronicle, The Guardian, and NPR, and shortlisted for the International Dylan Thomas Prize. Her short stories have appeared in The New Yorker, Granta, Freeman’s Anthology, One Story, Oxford American, and other venues. James is an associate professor at George Mason University, and lives in Washington DC. Her forthcoming novel, Loot, will be published by Knopf in June 2023.
Come to The Literary Debutante Ball
and support One Story!
Can't Make the Ball?
You can still make a difference
If you can’t join us in person, but would like to support One Story, please use the button below to give a one-time donation today.
All proceeds from the Ball will benefit One Story Inc., an award-winning, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit committed to supporting the art form of the short story and the authors who write them—through publication, education, community, and mentorship.
One Story Literary Debutante Ball Memories
Covid Protocols
Masks are welcomed, but optional. Guests can take advantage of Roulette’s balcony seating, where masks will be requested, and where social distancing can be more easily maintained.