Pulitzer-Winning Novelist Richard Powers Heads to Tallahassee

Powers to discuss his latest novel 'Playground' at Word of South festival.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 10:22am

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged black silhouettes against a backdrop of striking red and white shapes, conceptually representing the themes of technology, literature, and community engagement.The Tallahassee community eagerly awaits the arrival of acclaimed novelist Richard Powers, whose exploration of technology and the human condition will captivate festival-goers.Tallahassee Today

Acclaimed author Richard Powers, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2019, is set to appear at the Word of South festival in Tallahassee, Florida on April 26. Powers will discuss his latest novel 'Playground' as part of the One Book Tally community reading program.

Why it matters

Powers is one of the most celebrated American novelists of his generation, known for his ambitious, genre-blending works that explore the intersection of science, technology, and the human experience. His appearance at the Word of South festival represents a major literary event for the Tallahassee community.

The details

Powers' visit is made possible through the One Book Tally program, a community-wide reading initiative presented by local organizations Let's Read! and Midtown Reader. At the festival, Powers will discuss his latest novel 'Playground,' which delves into themes of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and the future of human connection.

  • The Word of South festival takes place on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
  • Powers is scheduled to appear at the festival on that date to discuss his novel.

The players

Richard Powers

A Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist known for his acclaimed, genre-blending works that explore the intersection of science, technology, and the human experience.

One Book Tally

A community-wide reading program presented by the local organizations Let's Read! and Midtown Reader in Tallahassee, Florida.

Word of South festival

An annual literary and music festival held in Tallahassee, Florida.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to welcome Richard Powers to Tallahassee and give our community the chance to engage with one of the most important American novelists of our time.”

— Samantha Gonzalez, Director of Let's Read!

What’s next

Tickets for Powers' appearance at the Word of South festival are on sale now through the festival's website.

The takeaway

Richard Powers' visit to Tallahassee represents a unique opportunity for the local community to engage with a Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose work explores the profound implications of emerging technologies on the human experience.