A Houston Literary Legend Turns the Page

For more than three decades, one man has helped shape Houston into one of the nation's most respected literary destinations. After 31 years leading Inprint, Executive Director Rich Levy has officially retired, leaving behind a legacy that transformed the city's literary landscape and inspired generations of readers and writers.

Building Houston's Literary Reputation

When Levy first arrived in Houston in the early 1980s, the city wasn't exactly known for its literary scene. Over the years, that changed dramatically. Through his leadership at Inprint, Houston became a destination where some of the world's most celebrated authors—including Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, George Saunders, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Ta-Nehisi Coates—visited to connect with local audiences.

One of Levy's biggest priorities was making literature accessible. Inprint's renowned Margarett Root Brown Reading Series has remained just $5 for admission, allowing thousands of Houstonians to hear world-famous authors speak without expensive ticket prices becoming a barrier.

More Than Author Events

Levy's impact extended far beyond bringing bestselling writers to Houston. Under his leadership, Inprint expanded to offer more than 60 writing workshops each year, serving aspiring writers, seniors, students, and even incarcerated individuals.

Programs like Poetry Buskers bring poets into parks, museums, and public spaces where they create personalized poems on vintage typewriters, while the Cool Brains! series introduces children to award-winning authors and encourages a lifelong love of reading.

A Legacy That Will Continue

Rich Levy officially stepped down on June 30 and plans to relocate to Paris later this year. While his retirement marks the end of an era, the foundation he built remains stronger than ever. Incoming Executive Director Giuseppe Taurino and Deputy Director Krupa Parikh will continue expanding Inprint's mission and ensuring Houston remains a city where literature thrives.

Why It Matters

Houston is often celebrated for energy, medicine, and space exploration, but thanks in large part to Rich Levy's vision, it's also earned a place on the literary map. His work helped make world-class authors accessible, nurtured local talent, and proved that great storytelling belongs to everyone—not just those who can afford it.

Sometimes the greatest legacies aren't measured in buildings or monuments, but in the thousands of lives inspired by a good book. 📚❤️