What questions would you ask your favorite writer? Would you want to know where they get their ideas? How they find time to write? Or maybe what advice they have for an emerging writer? Whether you dream of writing the next great novel or just love to read, you can listen to some of the best writers in the world read their work—and ask them questions about it—at the NYU Creative Writing Program Reading Series.

You don’t have to be a creative writing student to attend a reading or talk. In fact, the vast majority of events are free and open to all. You’ll hear accomplished NYU faculty like Zadie Smith, Jonathan Safran Foer, Sharon Olds, Yusef Komunyakaa, and Joyce Carol Oates. You’ll also hear visiting writers like Ocean Vuong, an award-winning poet who crossed over into fiction, and whose debut novel landed on the New York Times Best Sellers list.

A quote reading:

The series is also a great introduction to the contemporary literary scene because of the program’s partnerships with literary organizations. For example, this fall you can hear writers from the Cave Canem Foundation, an organization that supports the artistic and professional growth of African American poets. Or, come see the latest winners of awards from the Rona Jaffe Foundation, which supports women writers in the early stages of their careers.

A quote reading: “Sometimes I ask for too much just to feel my mouth overflow.” Ocean Vuong, visiting writer

And it isn’t just readings: you’ll hear writers in conversation with each other. Also, remember to join in—they’re there to answer your questions. Whether you come to hear your favorite author or discover how emerging writers are bending genres and stretching language, you’ll find inspiration or your next great read. New York City is full of stories, and anyone who values them can find their literary community at NYU.

Cat has been telling NYU stories for nearly 10 years with NYU’s University Relations and Public Affairs Office of Marketing Communications and is constantly inspired by what the people of this community make real. She’s also a proud alum of the NYU MFA program in creative writing, and runs a literary magazine in her free time. When she needs to get away from words, she does work in her neighborhood gardens and parks.