Littsburgh was inspired by Pittsburgh’s rich literary tradition and its current dynamic literary scene.
So much is happening in our city—poetry readings, book signings, writing workshops, conferences, lectures—that Pittsburgh is becoming a true literary destination.
We want to help highlight these events, celebrate authors with strong ties to Pittsburgh, and foster connections among booksellers, publishers, reviewers, other publishing professionals, and of course, the readers who make it all possible.
Seen at Heinz Field:
Rachel Ekstrom Courage
FounderRachel Ekstrom Courage was born and raised in Pittsburgh, where she fell in love with the work of Margaret Hodges, Annie Dillard, and Michael Chabon. She worked for over a decade in the publicity departments of St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Penguin’s Dutton and Gotham imprints and is the founding agent at Courage Literary. Rachel is also an author. Delacorte Press will be publishing her debut novel for Young Adults—Nothing Bad Happens Here—and Disney’s Hyperion Avenue will be publishing her adult debut—Murder by Cheesecake: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery—in 2025. For more about Rachel, visit: www.courageliterary.com and www.rachelekstromcourageauthor.com
Seen here with Littsburgh’s mascot:
Nick Courage
Powerhouse“As one of the founders of Pittsburgh’s preeminent literary site Littsburgh, Courage is one of the most connected writers in the city. Want to know about a recently published author or book? Courage is your guy.” –Pittsburgh City Paper
Nick Courage is an author and publishing professional whose work has recently appeared in The Paris Review Daily, Story, Writer’s Digest and elsewhere. Having spent over a decade promoting authors for New York publishing houses like Picador and Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, Nick is a partner and creative director at Courage Literary when he’s not writing. His novels (The Loudness, Storm Blown, and Snow Struck) are available where books are sold! For more about Nick, visit: www.nickcourage.com and www.courageliterary.com
Seen at Crazy Mocha:
Katie Kurtzman
Publicity DirectorKatie Kurtzman, a graduate of The University of Pittsburgh’s Writing Program, has over a decade of book publicity experience with top New York City-based publishing houses including Simon & Schuster, Penguin Young Readers, Henry Holt, and Farrar, Straus & Giroux. Active in the literary community, she has written for Pittsburgh Magazine, Literary Hub, and Electric Literature. She runs her own book publicity business, KTK Publicity.