The Authors for Literacy Dinner & Silent Auction is the largest annual fundraiser for the Literacy Council of Buncombe County and features a presentation by a New York Times bestselling author. We have hosted the event for eleven years, previously featuring:
• Barbara Kingsolver 2018
• Ann Patchett, 2017
• Wiley Cash, 2016
• David Baldacci, 2015
• James Patterson, 2014
• Charles Frazier, 2013
• Jill Conner Browne, 2012
• Ron Rash, 2011
• John Hart, 2010
• Sara Gruen, 2009
• Elizabeth Kostova, 2008
The Authors for Literacy Dinner & Silent Auction begins with a cocktail hour silent auction for general admission guests while our Platinum Corporate Partner and other VIP pass-holders join the featured author for a private reception. During the reception, the author will be available to answer questions, take photographs, and personally inscribe books. (Note: VIP guests will have an opportunity to enlist a proxy bidder so that they, too, can participate in the silent auction.) Next, all guests enjoy a three-course dinner, a presentation by a Literacy Council student, and a keynote presentation by the featured author. The evening will close with a book signing for the general admission guests.
Funds raised at the Authors for Literacy Dinner & Silent Auction benefit the Literacy Council’s programs that teach reading, writing, spelling, and English language skills to individuals in Buncombe County. We serve 300 students and over 2,000 book recipients annually through four programs: Adult Literacy, Youth Literacy, English for Speakers of Other Languages, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. We give opportunities to people who don’t believe they have a second chance to learn.
Besides being a principal fundraiser, Authors for Literacy is also a vehicle to promote the Literacy Council’s mission: to increase comprehensive literacy and English language skills through specialized instruction by trained tutors and access to literacy resources. The event increases community awareness of our programming and recruits new volunteers, donors, and board members.