August Whichard and Spencer Byham-Carson named City Books Spring 2026 Writers-in-Residence
City Books welcomes August Whichard and Spencer Byham-Carson as the Spring 2026 Writers-in-Residence from February 1-June 30.
August has been creating stories since before they could speak. Fascinated by dreams from a young age, August will be developing a manuscript of short stories and poems tentatively titled “Subconscious Messages.”
Spencer is a writer and theatre artist with a decade of educational and professional experience. He is currently writing a collection of short stories about a potentially staged—or potentially real—plane crash at a football game. His writing often focuses on what people choose to believe in: conspiracies, religion, sports betting, and politics.
August and Spencer will receive $500 honorariums, discounts, and curation opportunities at City Books. In addition, they will spend at least 3-5 hours a week writing in the bookstore, and be available on Independent Bookstore Day (April 25) and for media requests.
Founded in 1984 on the South Side, City Books recently celebrated 40 years in Pittsburgh. Now located at 908 Galveston Avenue in the Allegheny West neighborhood of the Northside, Pittsburgh’s oldest existing bookstore supports literature and the literary heritage of the region.
For more information about the City Books Writer-in-Residence program, click here.