10 Places to Search for Author Events in the Boston Metro Area

Are you an avid reader or amateur writer looking to immerse yourself in the literary scene? A great way to start is by attending author events. And fortunately, if you live in the Boston and Cambridge areas of Massachusetts, there are plenty of opportunities to do so.

Author tours, book signings, and special events featuring forum discussions with local or nationally based writers offer great ways for lit lovers to meet like-minded individuals, learn about new releases, or even gain insight into the development of some of the most notable novels of both the past and present. They can also serve as excellent excuses to become inspired.

So where does one hear about author events in the Boston metro area?

One way is to follow a local calendar. Boston.com offers a versatile calendar listing of upcoming events that can be filtered to display only those which feature authors. This is a great place to search if you are looking particularly for the more popular, ticketed author events. But if you are interested in more comprehensive results, say, those that include the lesser known author talks as well as the award-winning and famous writer readings, you will gain more satisfaction from going directly to the places that will be hosting the events.

There are several venues around town that regularly schedule author readings and other writer events, including book stores, libraries and museums. Most of their websites make it easy to find out information about upcoming events and one option is to bookmark the calendar page and check back frequently for updates. Another idea, however, and one that will require less effort, is that you sign up for the mailing lists for venues that commonly feature author events. That way, you will be alerted through email each time a new event is announced; as long as you keep up with your inbox, you are unlikely to miss anything.

Below is a list of nine locations around Boston and Cambridge that present author events of various types on an ongoing basis throughout the year. Each listing includes a detailed summary on the general scope of events featured, along with some information and resources to help you save time when researching activities.

Boston Public Library

The Boston Public Library’s Author Talk series features a broad range of author appearances, from up and coming writers celebrating their first books, to established literary veterans discussing their latest classics. While writers come to speak from all over the world, the library frequently hosts readings by those that are local to Massachusetts. Most author talks take place at the BPL Central Library location, but the other branches in the network may uniquely host some of the events. The best way to find author events at the Boston Public Library is to visit the Calendar of Events page, and on the left side column, under “Type of Event”, uncheck every category except for “Author Talk”; the calendar will then filter out everything related and tell you at which library location it will take place.

Boston Public Library-Central Library

700 Boylston Street

Boston, MA 02116

617-536-5400

Museum of Science

The Museum of Science Boston presents a wide range of special events each month, many of which feature lectures, book readings, and panel discussions by experts and influential figures in varying areas of scientific study. Most of the science writer and researcher events are free to attend, but have a limited capacity. For some events, attendees are able to pre-register online to reserve a seat; other times, tickets are handed out in the museum lobby on the day of the event on a first come, first served basis.

Museum of Science

1 Science Park

Boston, MA 02114

617-723-2500

New England Aquarium

The Aquarium Lecture Series, which dates back as far as 1972, offers lectures and book readings to the public by researchers, science and environmental writers, photographers, and other experts and influential voices in the aquatic area of science. Author readings are featured regularly for both adults and children and are typically followed by book signings with the writer or photographer. Most events begin at 7pm and take place in the Harborside Learning Lab at the New England Aquarium; any diversion from this will be specified with the lecture description. Events are also free of charge, with requested online registration. At the end of each lecture description on the events page, a link to follow for registration is provided.

New England Aquarium

1 Central Wharf

Boston, MA 02110

617-973-5200

The Ford Hall Forum

The Ford Hall Forum at Suffolk University is another lesser known place to hear authors speak. The free public lecture series, devoted to the mission of promoting the freedom of speech, primarily features opinion leaders, politicians and other key speakers to participate in moderated debates and discussions related to prominent current events issues of public interest. The Forum does, however, continue to present very interesting and noteworthy speakers for these events, many of whom stick around following the lecture to sign copies of their recently published books. So even though it isn’t a place to necessarily find traditional author readings and talks, the Ford Hall Forum offers programs relatively similar that are equally as intriguing. This lecture series is worth checking out.

Ford Hall Forum at Suffolk University

41 Temple Street

Boston, MA 02114

(617)-557-2007

Harvard Coop

The Harvard Coop Book Store in Harvard Square holds several author readings, discussions and book signings throughout each month. Authors featured include local, national or international scholars, Harvard professors, researchers or alumni, as well as other acclaimed writers with a wide variety of book topics. Author events at The Coop typically run from 7pm to 8pm and take place on the third level of the book store.

The Harvard Coop

1400 Massachusetts Ave.

Cambridge, MA 02138

617-499-2000

Harvard Museum of Natural History

While the Harvard Museum of Natural History is not particularly known for featuring author events on a regular basis, the institution does typically present a handful of notable science writers and researchers as part of its monthly lecture series. Many of the authors or photographers to appear at the museum’s special events program are there to discuss, promote and sign copies of their latest books on topics related to natural history. Most author talks and lectures at the Harvard Museum of Natural History are free with museum admission.

Harvard Museum of Natural History

26 Oxford Street

Cambridge, MA 02138

617.495.3045

Porter Square Books

The Porter Square Books Bookstore hosts several events throughout each month featuring authors of all genres to discuss, promote and sign copies of their latest published work. While most of the authors to appear at the store are nationally, or for some, internationally recognized, it seems as though Porter Square Books shows particular appreciation for writers with some kind of roots in the Boston area or elsewhere in the state of Massachusetts. This book store also is keen on encouraging aspiring writers to pursue and perfect the craft, for they also frequently host writers’ workshops and other educational opportunities.

Porter Square Books

Porter Square Shopping Center

25 White Street

Cambridge, MA 02140

617-491-2220

Harvard Book Store

The Harvard Book Store has one of the most active author events programs in the Boston and Cambridge areas, with numerous readings, signings and discussions lined up on their calendar each month. The events feature authors of various writing genres and levels of experience, but tend to cater more heavily to those promoting books about worldly topics or those which address matters of particular public interest. Often times, authors will be joined by recognized scholars, scientists, and other influential experts for a panel discussion relating to their new book’s theme. Most Harvard Book Store author events are held right inside the bookstore and are free and open to the public. Larger, more popular readings take place at other locations around Harvard Square, such as the Brattle Theatre or the First Parish Church; these author talks usually cost $5, occasionally more, and have limited seating available. Register and pay for ticketed events online or by calling the Harvard Book Store. Events held in-store do not require reservations or tickets; just show up.

Harvard Book Store

1256 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, MA 02138

(617) 661-1515 or (800) 542-READ

Brookline Booksmith

The Brookline Booksmith bookstore in Coolidge Corner has made a name for itself as a host of frequent and remarkable author events, as part of their ‘Writers and Readers Series’. The authors presented by the Booksmith cover a wide spectrum of writing genres and formats from memoir writing to fiction, nonfiction to poetry, children’s books to adults, and humor essays to graphic novels, as a non-exhaustive list of examples. The author events series includes new as well as long established authors, but it seems most of the writers who appear have already published award-winning books or bestsellers and are there to read, promote and sign copies of their latest published work. Most Writers and Readers Series events take place on the basement level of the Brookline Booksmith store and are free for all to attend. Other, especially popular, readings are held at the Coolidge Corner Theatre down the street; these events require $5 tickets, which can be purchased by visiting or calling the bookstore. If you are interested in going to a ticketed event, be sure to purchase your tickets as far in advance as possible, as these author talks often sell out quickly.

Brookline Booksmith

279 Harvard Street

Brookline MA 02446-2908

Tel: 617-566-6660


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