Arizona Women's Board Authors Luncheon

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Arizona Women's Board Authors Luncheon

The 47th Annual Friends of Erma Bombeck Authors Luncheon will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026. We are about preserving life.

Author and humorist Erma Bombeck created the country’s first Authors Luncheon in 1980, in Phoenix, AZ, when she invited fellow authors to join her in raising awareness and funds for Arizona kidney patients. She was convinced that out there somewhere were people so selfless and families so compassionate, they would commit to the ultimate act of love — a gift of life. “The real heroes and heroines a

re the patients who are hanging tough and the donors who are faced with hard decisions and give humanity a good name. It is indeed a gift,” said Erma. The Authors Luncheon was an immediate success and quickly became a much-anticipated annual event. The Arizona Women’s Board has kept the tradition alive for 43 years. The Arizona Women's Board dedicates all Luncheon proceeds to prevent kidney disease through awareness, education and research and to improve the quality of life for Arizonans with kidney disease. Last year the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona, Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation, St. Joseph’s Foundation, TGEN Foundation, Transplant Community Alliance and Valleywise Health Foundation received grants. Thanks to the success of the Authors Luncheon and the support of the Arizona Women's Board, services for kidney patients in Arizona rank as one of the best in the nation. Since its inception, the Arizona Women's Board has granted nearly $13 million.

08/05/2026

🇮🇹📚 Our fourth author announcement is one I absolutely can’t wait to read!
We’re delighted to welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning author Andrew Sean Greer as a featured speaker at the 46th Annual Arizona Women’s Board Authors Luncheon.
Best known for his beloved novels Less and Less Is Lost, Andrew has earned readers’ hearts with his wit, humor, and deeply human storytelling. His work has received some of literature’s highest honors, including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and now he returns with what promises to be another unforgettable novel.
In Villa Coco, an aspiring archivist finds himself in the Italian countryside working for Coco, a glamorous 92 year old baroness with a flair for life. Surrounded by eccentric princesses, boar hunters, nuns, priceless antiques, unexpected romance, and one final quest for lost love, the story unfolds into a sun drenched celebration of adventure, reinvention, and the joy of embracing life’s surprises.
If you’ve ever dreamed of escaping to Italy or simply love stories filled with heart, humor, and unforgettable characters, you won’t want to miss hearing from Andrew this November.
🎟️ Tickets are on sale now! Visit authorsluncheonaz.org to reserve your seat for an unforgettable afternoon with some of today’s most celebrated authors.
Our final author announcement is coming soon!

06/29/2026

🔎📚 Our fourth author announcement is here—and if you love page-turning thrillers, this one is for you.
We’re thrilled to welcome #1 New York Times bestselling author Douglas Preston as a featured speaker at the 46th Annual Arizona Women’s Board Authors Luncheon.
With more than 40 books to his name—including over 30 New York Times bestsellers—Douglas has become one of the most acclaimed thriller writers of our time. Best known for the internationally bestselling Pendergast series, he has captivated millions of readers with his masterful blend of mystery, science, history, and suspense.
His newest novel, Paradox, co-written with his daughter, Aletheia Preston, plunges readers into a chilling investigation involving desecrated religious relics, ritualistic murders, a fanatical secret society, and a mystery hidden deep within the Colorado wilderness. As the case unfolds, one astonishing question looms: What if the impossible isn’t impossible after all?
Whether you’re already a Douglas Preston fan or simply love a can’t-put-it-down thriller, you won’t want to miss hearing from one of the genre’s true masters.
🎟️ Tickets are on sale now! Visit authorsluncheonaz.org to reserve your seat for an unforgettable afternoon with some of today’s most fascinating authors.
Stay tuned—more announcements coming soon!
MysteryReaders

06/22/2026

✨📚 Our third author announcement is here, and she may have you rethinking every conversation you’ve ever had. We’re delighted to welcome Pamela Meyer as a featured speaker at the 46th annual Arizona Women’s Board Authors Luncheon. If her name sounds familiar, it may be because of her TED talk, How To Spot A Liar, which has been viewed more than 32 million times worldwide. As a leading authority on deception, trust, and human behavior, Pamela has spent her career studying what most people miss: the subtle signals hidden beneath the service of everyday interactions.
In her fascinating new book, How to Read the Room, Pamela reveals how power, trust, and influence are communicated through every glance, pause, and gesture. Drawing on behavioral science, intelligence – agency techniques, and real-world experience, she teaches readers how to better understand the people around them and navigate the complexities of modern life with greater awareness and insight.
As founder and CEO of Calibrate, Inc., Pamela advises organizations on fraud detection, security awareness, and decision-making. Whether you’re a leader, a lifetime learner, or simply curious about what makes people tick, Pamela’s insights are sure to leave you looking into the world a little differently.
Tickets are on sale now! Visit authorsluncheonaz.org to reserve your seat and join us for an unforgettable afternoon of stories, ideas, and inspiration.

06/13/2026

✨ Imagine being told you would never speak, never write, and never live independently.
Today, Professor Jason Arday is one of the youngest professors in the history of the University of Cambridge—and we are honored to welcome him as a featured speaker at the 46th Annual Arizona Women’s Board Authors Luncheon.
Diagnosed with autism and developmental delays as a child, Jason was nonverbal until age 11 and unable to read or write until age 18. Many experts predicted a life of limitations. Instead, with the unwavering support of his family and his own remarkable determination, Jason defied every expectation placed before him.
In his powerful new memoir, Great and Unfortunate Things, Jason shares the story of his journey from a lively South London childhood to his appointment as the youngest-ever Black academic to a professorship at Cambridge University. It’s a moving testament to resilience, compassion, and the extraordinary impact that belief—especially a mother’s belief—can have on a life.
Today, Jason is not only a respected academic, social commentator, and author, but also a dedicated philanthropist who has raised millions for charitable causes and devoted countless hours to serving communities around the world.
His story is inspiring, unforgettable, and exactly the kind of conversation we can’t wait to share with our luncheon guests.
More author announcements coming soon!

05/29/2026

📚✨ Our first author announcement is here!
We’re honored to welcome New York Times bestselling author Lisa See as a featured speaker at the 46th Annual Arizona Women’s Board Authors Luncheon.
For more than two decades, Lisa See has illuminated the stories of women whose lives have been overlooked, forgotten, or erased from history. Her bestselling novels—including Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Shanghai Girls, The Island of Sea Women, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, and The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane—have captivated readers around the world and have been translated into 40 languages.
In her newest novel, Daughters of the Sun and Moon, Lisa brings to life the stories of three Chinese women living in post-Civil War Los Angeles. Set against the backdrop of the real-life Night of Horrors, a largely forgotten chapter of American history, the novel explores friendship, resilience, love, and the extraordinary strength it takes to find your voice in a world determined to silence it.
Richly researched and beautifully told, Lisa’s work reminds us that some of the most important stories are the ones history almost forgot.
Join us as we welcome one of today’s most acclaimed historical fiction authors to the Arizona Biltmore this November.
More author announcements coming soon!
WomenInHistory BooksThatMatter AZBiltmore

05/17/2026

📚✨ A beloved tradition returns! We’re honored to welcome Adriana Trigiani back as emcee for the 46th Annual Arizona Women’s Board Authors Luncheon at the Arizona Biltmore. 💚
A New York Times bestselling author, playwright, filmmaker, and one of the literary world’s most cherished storytellers, Adriana returns for her thirteenth unforgettable year bringing her warmth, humor, and signature storytelling magic to our stage.
And this year comes with exciting news: Adriana has been chosen to write Connie, the highly anticipated continuation of The Godfather saga centered on Connie Corleone, the matriarch of the Corleone family. The novel marks the first authorized Godfather continuation written by a woman and is already generating major buzz in the literary world.
From Appalachia to Italy, page to screen, Adriana’s stories continue to celebrate family, resilience, humor, and the women at the heart of it all — making her the perfect voice to guide this unforgettable afternoon.
We cannot wait to welcome her back to Phoenix. 📖✨

05/08/2026

📚✨ The invitation is here, and the countdown is officially on!
Join us for the 47th Annual Friends of Erma Bombeck Authors Luncheon, a beloved Arizona tradition that brings together bestselling authors, community, and purpose in support of kidney disease education, research, and patient services across Arizona.
💚 Save the date for an unforgettable afternoon of storytelling, inspiration, and impact at the Arizona Biltmore.
🎟️ Tickets are available now! Visit our website www.authorsluncheonaz.org to reserve your seat. Tickets are expected to sell quickly once this year’s incredible lineup of authors is announced, so don’t wait!
And stay tuned… the much-anticipated reveal of this year’s distinguished authors is coming soon, and we cannot wait to share this inspiring group with you.
ArizonaBiltmore SupportKidneyHealth BooksForACause KidneyHealthAZ

04/27/2026

🌸✨ 30 incredible women. One beautiful day.
The Arizona Women’s Board Annual Fun Day brought together 30 wonderful women for connection, creativity, and a hands-on floral arranging class hosted by Lory Parsons .
Filled with conversation, laughter, and shared inspiration, the day was a chance to strengthen friendships and build momentum as we begin planning for the 47th Annual Friends of Erma Bombeck Authors Luncheon.
Moments like these remind us that our mission is powered by community, collaboration, and the many people who support kidney health programs across Arizona. 💚
CommunityWithPurpose BehindTheScenes ErmaBombeckLegacy KidneyHealthAZ

04/17/2026

💚 Because of you, the impact continues…
Following the incredible success of the 46th Annual Authors Luncheon, the Arizona Women’s Board is proud to announce $600,000 in grants awarded to six Arizona nonprofits advancing kidney health across our state.
From early intervention and patient assistance to groundbreaking research and access to care, these funds directly support individuals and families navigating kidney disease—right here in Arizona.
This is what your support makes possible. 📚 A sold-out luncheon 🎟️ A sold-out raffle 🌵 Every centerpiece claimed ➡️ And real, measurable impact for those who need it most
Thank you to our donors, volunteers, authors, and community for turning an inspiring afternoon into meaningful change.
ImpactInAction Philanthropy Gratitude GivingBackAZ

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Phoenix, AZ

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+14809512950

Website

http://authorsluncheonaz.org/

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