Judy Blume, James Patterson and Michael Connelly are among 24 prominent writers who have raised more than $3 million to help PEN America open a center in Miami and expand it efforts to counter Florida’s surge in book bannings in recent years.

John Grisham, Jodi Picoult and George R.

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Va. – A famous novelist made a big donation to help feed families in our area. The Landing Love Project started earlier this year in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The project distributes chef-inspired meals are cooked at Smith Mountain Lake to at-risk families and seniors in the surrounding communities. [Smith Mountain Lake restaurant doubles down on helping community as pandemic draws on]David Baldacci, who’s published 42 national and international bestsellers, has a house on the lake and donated $100,000 to the effort. So far, the landing love project has served about 37,000 meals.