Jeanine Cummins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of American Dirt, which was an Oprah’s Book Club and a Barnes & Noble Book Club selection, as well as a #1 Indie Next pick. The novel has been translated into thirty-seven languages and sold more than three and a half million copies worldwide. Her other works include the memoir A Rip in Heaven, and the novels The Outside Boy and The Crooked Branch. She lives in New York with her husband, their two daughters, and their dogs.
Public Tickets Available Now
Doors open at 6pm ET. The program begins at 7pm ET and includes a Q&A and author signing event in the lobby.
The National Writers Series is pleased to present Jeanine Cummins, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of American Dirt, in conversation about her powerful new novel, Speak to Me of Home.
Cummins’ latest work is a deeply moving multigenerational story that spans decades and continents, following three women—Rafaela, her daughter Ruth, and her granddaughter Daisy—as they navigate identity, family, and the meaning of home. From Puerto Rico to the American Midwest and back again, their journeys unfold against the backdrop of shifting cultural landscapes, personal sacrifices, and long-buried family secrets.
At the heart of Speak to Me of Home lies an exploration of belonging: How can three women, bound by blood and history, hold such different ideas of where they come from? And when life’s storms—both literal and figurative—push them apart, can they find their way back to each other? With lyrical prose and emotional depth, Cummins crafts a novel that is both intimate and sweeping, resonating with readers who cherish stories of resilience, love, and homecoming.
Book Publication Date: May 13, 2025 –Traverse City locals who’d like to read the book in advance of the event can pick up their copy at Horizon Books, beginning May 13th. You can also choose to have the book shipped directly to you with our livestreaming tickets, additional fees apply. Call Horizon Books at 231-946-7290 to check on availability or if you have questions about receiving your featured book.
General Admission Tickets:
Students and Teachers Ticket: $10
No age restriction with a valid school ID, student and teacher tickets admit one person to the live or virtual event. Books are not included.
About Our Book Sales
If purchasing a book isn’t an option for any reason, use the code BookChampion at checkout to receive a complimentary copy, no questions asked. You will only pay the price of admission, thanks to a generous donor who will pay for your book.
One of the most exciting parts of attending our events is getting a signed copy of the author’s latest book along with the chance to meet the writer and have them personalize it after the show. Please note: signed books are only available at the live event.
Each sale benefits our local partner Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City, Michigan. The bundled price of National Writers Series books is always 20 percent below retail, so you also get a great deal.
If you already own the featured book, the one you receive with your ticket makes a great gift for friends and family. Or you can donate it back to us at the National Writers Series, and we’ll distribute it to libraries and young writers in Northern Michigan.
We think a new book is one of the greatest joys of life, and we thank you for helping us make Traverse City one of the premiere destinations for authors through our book sales.
Virtual Option
Even if you can’t make it to Kirkbride Hall, you can still enjoy National Writers Series events from the comfort of your own home on event night or later on-demand when it’s more convenient. Virtual tickets include private access to the livestream and a copy of the book available for pick-up or shipped to you for an additional fee.
Beth Milligan is a journalist and head writer for the Traverse City Ticker. She has worked in marketing and PR roles for numerous community organizations including Up North Pride, the Traverse City Film Festival, Traverse Connect, Traverse City Comedy Fest, National Writers Series, and Porterhouse Productions. She currently serves on board advisory committees for the Leelanau Conservancy and Bay Theatre and on the advisory board for Northwestern Michigan College’s Extended Education Services. Beth is the co-host of Currently with Christal Frost, a weekly podcast featuring local journalists discussing the region’s top news stories. Beth lives on a small hobby farm called Stone Hill Farm on Old Mission Peninsula with her partner, Joe Beyer.
National Writers Series
3301 Veterans Drive, Suite 214
Traverse City, MI 49684
EIN: 27-2470925
(231) 486-6868
[email protected]
2025
National Writers Series. All Rights Reserved.
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