Moderator Nathaniel Rich (Second Nature) leads a conversation with Martha Park (World Without End), Madeleine Watts (Elegy, Southwest), and Joselyn Takacs (Pearce Oysters) about how they explore apocalypse, survival, and faith across fiction and nonfiction. From environmental collapse to personal reckonings, these writers examine how we imagine the end—and what comes after.

Join our panelists as they discuss their boldly original, genre-defying works of fiction. From Pemi Aguda's eerie yet everyday tales of modern-day Laos (Ghostroots), to Cebo Campbell's near future fantasy of an altered Southern landscape (Sky Full of Elephants), to Cristina Rivera Garza's haunting, dreamlike twist on the traditional serial killer novel (Death Takes Me), these works of fiction are a testament to the power of vividly inventive storytelling.

From Mardi Gras Indians and Baby Dolls to parade culture and marching krewes, New Orleans' street traditions are vibrant expressions of the city's identity. Photographer Eric Waters, journalist Cheryl Gerber, and Mardi Gras Indian Queen Charice Harrison-Nelson discuss the ethics of documenting these traditions, balancing visibility with respect. Moderated by Echo Olander, author of I Wanna Do That!, this conversation explores the power and responsibility of capturing the city's culture.