Is this live . Can everyone hear me . Welcome. My name is kyle byrd im the executive director of the leon leavy center for biography. Over the past 12 years the leavy center has awarded 44 major fellowships to working biographers. Each of these fellowships is not worth 72,000 so its not chump change. To date some 20 biographies have been published including ruth franklins biography of Shirley Jackson which won the Prestigious National book critics circle award biography. I also want to spread the news about our brandnew holy unique Masters Program in biography and memoir is just started this autumn with at least 17 students enrolled which is phenomenal. Brenda is actually both former director of the leon leavy center and teaches the core courses in new Masters Program. Our next program is next wednesday, september 25 at 6 30 p. M. With david netzel giving the annual leon leavy lecture on biography. Tonight im very delighted to have Benjamin Moser in conversation with brenda one apple.