New York Times bestselling author S.A. Cosby will headline Richland Library’s final Broader Bookshelf author talk of 2026, bringing readers together for an evening exploring the stories, perspectives and experiences that shape Southern literature. Cosby will be joined by award-winning novelist David Joy for Meet the Author: S.A. Cosby in Conversation with David Joy from 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at Richland Library Main.
An Anthony Award-winning author from southeastern Virginia, Cosby is known for gripping crime fiction that examines family, race, justice and redemption. His novels include the New York Times bestsellers All the Sinners Bleed and Razorblade Tears, along with Blacktop Wasteland, winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.
Cosby’s literary success is also reaching television audiences. Production recently wrapped on Netflix’s adaptation of All the Sinners Bleed, with the series written by Joe Robert Cole, co-writer of Marvel’s Black Panther. During the event, Cosby will discuss his latest novel, King of Ashes, which fulfills two prompts in Richland Library’s 2026 Broader Bookshelf Reading Challenge: “Read a book by an author whose pen name includes initials” and “Read a book set in Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, or West Virginia.”
Joy, a North Carolina native whose writing is deeply rooted in Appalachia, explores poverty, identity and the struggles of rural communities through his fiction. His novel Those We Thought We Knew, winner of the 2023 Willie Morris Award and Thomas Wolfe Prize, fulfills the challenge prompt “Read a book about poverty.” His other acclaimed works include When These Mountains Burn and The Line That Held Us.
The Broader Bookshelf Reading Challenge encourages readers to step outside their usual reading preferences, discover new authors and engage with challenging subjects. As the final author talk of the year, the event offers an opportunity to reflect on the stories and perspectives explored throughout the 2026 challenge.
The evening will include an author discussion followed by a reception, book sale and signing.