OnWord 2026

The American Writers Museum’s annual benefit, OnWord, will take place on September 29, 2026 at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago.

 

Special Presenter

Peter Sagal 

Author and Host of NPR’s Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!

 

BEYOND THE PAGE AWARD

The Helen Zell Writers’ Program at the University of Michigan

THE FOUNDER’S Inspiring Writer Award

Jesmyn Ward

Two-time National Book Award Winner and author of Sing, Unburied, Sing, Salvage the Bones, and other titles.

 

INSPIRATION AWARD 

Presented by 

Celeste Ng

to a teacher who inspired her as a writer 

Celeste Ng is an award-winning writer who’s novels include Everything I Never Told You, Little Fires Everywhere, and Our Missing Hearts

 

JOHN ESTEY STUDENT WRITING COMPETITION

Celebration of Winners

Event Co-Chairs

Malcolm O’Hagan 

Judy Pomeranz

 

Learn more about the 2026 John Estey Student Writing Competition

OnWord 2026 Sponsorship Levels

50,000 | VISIONARY 

  • Premier seating for 20 guests at two tables
  • Special recognition in program materials 
  • AWM gift for all table guests 
  • Invitation to VIP reception before the cocktail hour for Visionary and one guest
  • Private cocktail reception at the American Writers Museum for up to 100 people

 

$25,000 | Patron

  • Premier seating for ten
  • Special recognition in program materials
  • AWM gift for all table guests 
  • Invitation to VIP reception before the cocktail hour for Patron and one guest

$12,000 | Benefactor

  • Priority seating for ten
  • Special recognition in program materials
  • AWM gift for all table guests 

 

$6,000 | Sponsor

  • Preferred seating for ten
  • Special recognition in program materials

 

$600 | Individual Reservation

To make your table, ticket, or gift commitment via check or wire transfer, please complete the form below:

To purchase a table, tickets, or make a gift via credit card, PayPal, Venmo, or Donor-Advised Fund, click here:

Tables and Tickets

Host Committee (in development)

Mary M. Barrow

Roger and Julie Baskes

The Bedi Family Foundation

Gail C. Bent

Lloyd and Kathryn Bettis

BMO

Bulley & Andrews

Marion A. Cameron-Gray

Amy and Paul Carbone Family Fund

Robert A. and Joan E. Clifford

Carey Cranston and Ellen Tritschler

Roxanne Decyk and Lew Watts

Cathie and John Estey

Edith and Gerald Falk

Brenda and James Grusecki

Jay and Robin Hammer

Werner and Marleen Hein

Jane Irwin

Ivan and Kathy Kane

Christine and Glenn Kelly

Debra and Blake Moritz

Catherine Mouly and Ted Carlson

Malcolm and Virginia O’Hagan

Liz and Eric Lefkofsky

Patrick O’Hagan and Paula Llaneza

Judy Pomeranz

Roberta Rubin

Amanda and John Rutledge

S&C Electric Company Fund

Michael and Tracey Scodro

Larry Shulman and Rhonda Rochambeau

Robin and Sandy Stuart

Farinaz Tehrani and Dadi Akhavan

Donna Van Eekeren Foundation

Wintrust

Sally Wood

HIGHLIGHTS FROM ONWORD 2025