OnWord 2025
The American Writers Museum’s annual benefit, OnWord, will take place on September 8, 2025 at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago.
SPECIAL GUEST PRESENTER
Peter Sagal
Host of NPR’s Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!
THE FOUNDER’S INSPIRING WRITER AWARD
David Grann
Journalist and best-selling author of Killers of the Flower Moon, The Wager, and many other titles
INSPIRATION AWARD
Presented by Brit Bennett
Best-selling author of The Mothers and The Vanishing Half
BEYOND THE PAGE HONOREES
Scott Turow
Best-selling author and advocate for writers
&
Jerre and Mary Joy Stead
Philanthropists and Civic Leaders
Program Highlights
THE FOUNDER’S INSPIRING WRITER AWARD: David Grann interviewed by Peter Sagal
INSPIRATION AWARD: Presented by writer Brit Bennett to her former teacher, Christine Esteban
JOHN ESTEY STUDENT WRITING COMPETITION: Celebration of Winners