Tahoe author Priya Hutner is taking her award-winning memoir, “Chasing Nirvana: A Seeker’s Story of Love, Loss and Liberation,” on the road this fall for a national book and speaking tour that includes appearances at some of the country’s leading literary festivals.

Hutner, an award-winning author, journalist and co-founder of the Tahoe Literary Festival, will make appearances in New York City, Chicago, Highland Park, Brooklyn and Tahoe City throughout September and October.

Winner of a 2026 National Indie Excellence Award, “Chasing Nirvana” chronicles Hutner’s decades inside a cult-like spiritual community and her eventual escape. The memoir follows her journey to untangle devotion from control, reclaim her identity and examine the complicated nature of belief and belonging.

“Writing Chasing Nirvana began as a way to make sense of the past, but publishing this book has expanded my world in ways I never expected,” Hutner says. “It has brought extraordinary people, conversations, communities, and opportunities into my life. It has also shown me how the power of storytelling creates authentic connection.”

Legendary singer-songwriter Arlo Guthrie has also praised Hutner and her story.

“Priya is one of the most courageous people I know,” Guthrie says. “The journey of a real seeker isn’t for the faint of heart. Priya went there her way, and that’s what makes her journey an inspiration to others.”

Hutner kicks off the tour on Sept. 8 as a featured author in the Must Love Memoir Reading Series at The Throwback Bar in New York City.

From there, she heads to Chicago for an appearance at Printers Row Lit Fest on Sept. 12. Hutner will join authors Blair Glaser and Beth Granger for “Cults, Conditioning, and Catharsis: Memoir in a Time of Cultural Upheaval,” moderated by author and A Little Bit Culty podcast host Sarah Edmondson.

On Sept. 13, Hutner and Glaser will appear in an author conversation followed by a book signing at Secret World Books in Highland Park, Ill.

Hutner returns to New York for two appearances presented as part of the 2026 Brooklyn Book Festival.

On Sept. 23, she joins Sarah Edmondson, Harrison Hill and Melissa Duge Spiers for “Cults, Conspiracies & the Complexities of Belief” at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church. Author Ru Marshall moderates the conversation.

On Sept. 24, Hutner joins Wendy Correa and Alisa Kriegel at Unnameable Books at St. Marks for “Belief, Belonging, and Breaking Free: Sex, Cults & Rock n’ Roll,” also presented as part of the Brooklyn Book Festival.

Hutner brings the tour home on Oct. 10 for two featured appearances at the third annual Tahoe Literary Festival in Tahoe City.

One of the festival’s most personal conversations will bring Hutner together with two-time “Survivor” winner and bestselling author Parvati Shallow. The two share an unusual connection: they once lived in the same spiritual community before their lives took them in different directions.

Later that day, Hutner and Shallow join Edmondson and Melissa Duge Spiers for “Our Fascination with Cults: Exploring the Myths and Realities of Belief,” moderated by author Sands Hall.

The Tahoe Literary Festival runs Oct. 9 to 11 in downtown Tahoe City and features author conversations, panels, poetry, storytelling, workshops, open mics, writers’ retreats and other literary programming.

• Sept. 8 | Must Love Memoir Reading Series | New York City
• Sept. 12 | Printers Row Lit Fest | Chicago
• Sept. 13 | Secret World Books | Highland Park, Ill.
• Sept. 23-24 | Brooklyn Book Festival | Brooklyn
• Oct. 10 | Tahoe Literary Festival | Tahoe City

Find Hutner’s complete tour and event details at PriyaHutner.com. Find Tahoe Literary Festival details, schedule and tickets at TahoeLitFest.com.