Community

Fort Bend County readers will have several opportunities in September to hear directly from nationally recognized writers without leaving home, as Fort Bend County Libraries continues its free Virtual Author Talks series with conversations spanning American history, speculative fiction, relationships and bilingual children’s literature.

The September 2026 lineup features historian David O. Stewart, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Daniel Kraus, strategic advisor and author Priya Parker, and Latin Grammy Award-winning musician and children’s author Lucky Diaz.

For residents looking for free things to do in Fort Bend County, online educational programs, author events or family-friendly literary experiences, the month offers something notably broad: a discussion about the ideas behind American democracy, a journey into a futuristic nightmare, a practical examination of conflict, and a bilingual celebration of neighborhood, music and culture.

All programs are free and presented online through Fort Bend County Libraries in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. Participants can also submit questions during the live events.

Sept. 1: David O. Stewart Examines the Ideas Behind American Democracy

The month begins Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. with award-winning historian and bestselling author David O. Stewart, who will discuss his newest book, The Democracy We Must Keep: Seven Founders, Nine Documents, and the Ideas That Shaped America.

The program, titled “The Democracy We Must Keep: Why the Ideas that Built America Still Matter,” looks beyond familiar names and dates to examine the documents and ideas that helped shape the United States.

Stewart explores the words and political thinking of figures including Tom Paine, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and George Washington, while asking a question that remains relevant generations later: how closely does modern America reflect the democratic principles its founders debated and developed?

His book takes readers through nine key documents associated with the formation of the United States and the ideas of seven influential founders, including Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton and Gouverneur Morris.

For Fort Bend County residents interested in American history, civics and government, the discussion is designed to offer a deeper look at how the nation’s experiment in self-government developed — and the role each generation plays in sustaining it.

Before becoming a full-time author, Stewart worked as a trial and appellate lawyer. He has since published 11 award-winning and bestselling history books and historical novels and received the Washington Independent Review of Books’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.

Sept. 8: Daniel Kraus Takes Readers Into the Darkest Reaches of Deep Space

The tone changes dramatically on Sept. 8 at 6 p.m., when Daniel Kraus, winner of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and a New York Times bestselling author, joins the series for “Writing the Nightmare: A Ship Called Sickness and One Unforgettable Space Crew.”

Kraus will focus on The Sixth Nik, released in June, a science-fiction story set aboard a strange vessel known as The Sickness — a ship made from biomatter that can respond to the needs of its human crew.

At the center of the story is Sisilla, a nine-year-old cultist whose brain has been enhanced with arcane technology known as “niks.” Her mission takes her toward Fém, a plague-stricken planet that has suddenly gone rogue.

The people around her are equally unusual, including a faceless assassin, an engineer transformed through extensive plastic surgery, a peyote-addicted medic and a captain carrying his own unresolved history with Sisilla.

The virtual event will give readers a closer look at how Kraus builds disturbing worlds, develops unconventional characters and turns unsettling ideas into fiction.

Kraus is also the author of Angel Down, winner of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, a New York Times Top 10 Book of 2025 and a national bestseller. His work extends beyond novels into filmmaking and screenwriting, including collaborations associated with Guillermo del Toro and George A. Romero. His books have been translated into more than 25 languages.

Sept. 15: Priya Parker Explores Why Healthy Relationships Sometimes Require Conflict

Not every disagreement is a sign that something has gone wrong.

That idea sits at the heart of the Sept. 15 Virtual Author Talk with bestselling author, facilitator and strategic advisor Priya Parker, who will present “The Art of Fighting: Building Better, Stronger Relationships” at 3 p.m.

Drawing from her work The Art of Fighting: The Transformative Power of Conflict, Parker challenges the assumption that strong groups and healthy relationships avoid disagreement.

Instead, she examines how conflict can help families, organizations, workplaces and communities change, clarify what matters and strengthen trust — when disagreements are understood and managed constructively.

Parker is internationally recognized for her work on purposeful gatherings and group dynamics. She is also the author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters and host of The Art of Gathering Digital Course.

Using her experience as a conflict facilitator, along with research and real-world examples, Parker explores how people can identify the true source of a dispute, decide how to approach it and recognize when a disagreement may not be easily resolved.

For local families, community leaders, nonprofit groups and workplace teams, the topic has an everyday relevance: disagreement is unavoidable, but the way people handle it can determine whether relationships weaken or grow stronger.

Sept. 24: Lucky Diaz Brings ‘Paletero Man’ to Life in English and Spanish

Fort Bend County Libraries will close out the September series with a program centered on neighborhood life, music, family and bilingual storytelling.

On Sept. 24, Lucky Diaz, a Latin Grammy Award-winning musician, artist and children’s author, will present “Where the Paletero Man Goes: A Journey of Neighborhood, Music, and Art.”

Two sessions will be offered: an English-language program at 6 p.m. and a Spanish-language program at 7 p.m.

Diaz will discuss his bilingual picture book Paletero Man, a story inspired by Los Angeles neighborhoods, Mexican American culture and the familiar sound of a paletero’s bell signaling that a frozen treat is nearby.

The book grew from Diaz’s own hit song and follows a child through a warm neighborhood landscape filled with music, community and anticipation.

Diaz, a Berklee College of Music alumnus and six-time Emmy-nominated songwriter, became the first North American children’s artist to win a Latin Grammy. His work blends music and storytelling while drawing heavily from the cultural traditions and daily life of Mexican American communities in Los Angeles.

Paletero Man received a Kirkus star and audiobook distinction and earned the 2024 Alma Flor Ada Award for its contribution to Latino-centered storytelling. Diaz has also received a Parent’s Choice Gold Award and NAPPA Award.

His newest book, Fix-It Familia, continues that focus on family and community, with a Spanish-language edition expanding the story’s reach among bilingual readers and classrooms.

For Fort Bend County families searching for bilingual children’s programs, Spanish-language library events or culturally rooted storytelling opportunities, the Sept. 24 sessions provide a chance for both English- and Spanish-speaking audiences to participate in the same shared literary experience.

How Fort Bend County Libraries’ Virtual Author Talks Work

Fort Bend County Libraries offers its Virtual Author Talks every month, giving residents free online access to bestselling authors, award winners and thought leaders from around the world.

The series covers both fiction and nonfiction and is designed to be accessible from home, making it especially useful for residents who may not be able to attend an in-person library event.

The program is presented through a partnership between Fort Bend County Libraries and the Library Speakers Consortium. Live sessions typically include an opportunity for audience members to submit questions to participating authors.

Readers who cannot attend a program live can also explore recordings of previous events through the Virtual Author Talks archive.

Registration, the full schedule of upcoming programs and past recordings are available through the Fort Bend County Libraries Virtual Author Talks website at libraryc.org/fortbendlibraries.

With topics ranging from the formation of American democracy to deep-space horror, conflict resolution and bilingual family storytelling, September’s lineup reflects the range the library system has built into the series — and gives Fort Bend County residents another way to learn, read and connect with ideas well beyond the county line.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more Fort Bend County library programs, community events and local opportunities for families throughout the year.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.