For the first time, the Thurber House Summer Literary Picnics series presents emerging authors of fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction. On July 22, Christopher Barzak, David Giffels and James J. Siegel will join the "New Voices" picnic gathering at 77 Jefferson Ave., and each author will read from his work.

Barzak teaches creative writing at Youngstown State University and is the author of two novels, including One for Sorrow. He will read from his latest work, The Love We Share, a haunting, richly woven novel in which the lives of several strangers, American and Asian, are linked in modern-day Japan despite deep cultural and social barriers.

Giffels is a columnist for the Akron Beacon Journal and contributing commentator and essayist on NPR. Winner of many journalism awards, including the 2006 National Award for Commentary, Giffels has also been nominated five times for the Pulitzer Prize. He will read from his book, All the Way Home: Building a Family in a Falling-down House, a memoir of growing into parenthood while reclaiming a ramshackle mansion from decades of neglect.

Siegel is an Ohio native and the poetry facilitator for a group called GuyWriters, offering critique sessions and open mic readings to aspiring poets. Siegel finds his inspiration in Ohio and small town life in the Midwest. His poetry has been published in literary journals such as The Fourth River, Toledo Review, Borderlands: Texas Poetry Review, Blueline and the online magazine Paper Street.

The New Voices reading is the fourth in a series of five Thurber House Literary Picnics presented on the side lawn of Thurber House, at 77 Jefferson Ave., where picnickers listen to authors with an Ohio connection read from their latest work.

Following New Voices, the fifth and final picnic in the Literary Picnics series will wrap up with mystery author P.L. Gaus on Aug. 5, with his tale of conflict within an Amish community in the wake of a murder and suicide.

Guests are asked to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs for seating. For more information, visit www.thurberhouse.org or call 614-464-1032.