Margaret Atwood to Speak in Fayetteville on 'Literature, Power, and the Future'

The acclaimed author of 'The Handmaid's Tale' will deliver a free public lecture at the University of Arkansas on April 14.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:30pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A striking abstract composition of jagged geometric shapes and bold silhouettes in high-contrast red and white, conceptually representing the themes of Margaret Atwood's upcoming lecture.Acclaimed author Margaret Atwood will delve into the intersections of literature, power, and the future in her upcoming public lecture at the University of Arkansas.Fayetteville Today

Margaret Atwood, the renowned author of the acclaimed novel 'The Handmaid's Tale', is set to visit Fayetteville, Arkansas later this month to deliver a public lecture hosted by the University of Arkansas. The event, titled 'A Conversation on Literature, Power, and the Future', will take place on April 14 at 7 p.m. at the Fayetteville Town Center.

Why it matters

Atwood is widely regarded as one of the most influential contemporary writers, with a body of work that spans fiction, poetry and literary criticism. Her dystopian novel 'The Handmaid's Tale' has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years following the success of the award-winning TV adaptation, making her appearance in Fayetteville a highly anticipated event for fans of her work.

The details

The lecture is part of the University of Arkansas's Distinguished Lectures Committee series, and admission will be free for students. Tickets are scheduled to become available to the public on Monday, April 10. The event will provide an opportunity for the local community to engage with Atwood and hear her perspectives on literature, power, and the future.

  • The lecture will take place on April 14, 2026 at 7 p.m.
  • Tickets will become available to the public on Monday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Margaret Atwood

A renowned Canadian author known for her influential works of fiction, poetry, and literary criticism, including the acclaimed novel 'The Handmaid's Tale'.

University of Arkansas

The host institution for the public lecture, which is part of the university's Distinguished Lectures Committee series.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Tickets for the event will become available to the public on Monday, April 10, 2026, and the lecture will take place on April 14, 2026 at 7 p.m. at the Fayetteville Town Center.

The takeaway

Margaret Atwood's visit to Fayetteville provides a unique opportunity for the local community to engage with one of the most acclaimed and influential authors of our time, and to explore the themes of literature, power, and the future that have defined her acclaimed body of work.