Contact: Contact: Nicole Hernandez
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Aspen Writers’ Foundation
970-925.3122, ext. 2# | Nicole@aspenwriters.org
Aspen, CO, TKDate, 2010 –– The Aspen Writers’ Foundation, a program of the Aspen Institute, is pleased to announce the participation of Iranian-born author Firoozeh Dumas in the 13th Annual Winter Words series. Dumas will discuss her breakout debut book Funny in Farsi, and her memoir Laughing Without an Accent, a series of biographical essays published in May 2008.The event will start at 5:30 pm on Thursday, February 4th, at the Given Institute in Aspen, CO, and will feature a public reading and talk followed by a Q&A session and a book signing. Tickets are $15 for an individual and $10 for a student or teacher with a valid school ID. As a full-capacity audience is expected for this program, early ticket purchasing is encouraged. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the start of the event, and unclaimed tickets, if any, will be on sale at the door.
With no prior writing experience, Dumas captured the hearts of readers with her witty humor in her debut book, Funny in Farsi. The book topped the San Francisco Chronicle and Los Angeles Times bestseller lists, was a finalist for the PEN/USA award in 2004, and she was a runner?up to Bob Dylan for the Audie Award for best audio book in 2005. Dumas was also runner?up to Jon Stewart for the prestigious Thurber Prize for American Humor, and the first Middle Eastern woman to be considered for this award. Recently, ABC ordered a pilot of Funny in Farsi to be directed by Hollywood heavyweight Barry Sonnenfeld. In April 2005, Dumas began touring the country for her one?woman show, “Laughing Without an Accent,” using humor to remind us that our commonalities far outweigh our differences.
For more information on Winter Words or to purchase tickets, please call the Aspen Writers’ Foundation (AWF) at 970-925-3122, ext. 5# or visit www.aspenwriters.org. Tickets can also be purchased through the Wheeler Opera House at www.aspenshowtickets.com or by calling 970-920-5770. Discounts are available for AWF members. Annual memberships, starting at $100, are accepted at any time of the year.
Ticket levels include:
? Winter Words single tickets: $15 individual; $10 student/educator with current school ID.
? Author Salon (includes Winter Words reading and talk plus a reception in a private home
honoring the author): $40 single ticket ? for AWF members only
Tickets are on sale now for future events. Upcoming speakers include:
February 18
Jared Diamond, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Guns, Germs, and Steel
Wheeler Opera House
February 25
David Wroblewski, author of the Oprah Book Club selection, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
The Given Institute
March 8
Anita Shreve, critically acclaimed best-selling author of The Pilot’s Wife
Wheeler Opera House
March 11
Tobias Wolff, PEN/Faulkner Award-winning author of This Boy’s Life
The Given Institute
The Aspen Writers’ Foundation, Colorado’s oldest nonprofit literary organization and a program of the Aspen Institute, has been bringing readers and writers together since 1976. The organization’s mission is to provide programs that encourage writers in their craft and readers in their appreciation of literature. Through its repertoire of ten year-round programs and projects, the Aspen Writers’ Foundation annually serves 100,000-plus literary enthusiasts of all ages.
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