Lawrence Burney headlines One Maryland events

Maryland Humanities said on September 1 that Lawrence Burney will headline a fall tour tied to the 2026 One Maryland One Book program, with public events across the state focused on his book *No Sense in Wishing: Essays on Black Music, Belonging, and Baltimore*. The organization said the appearances will bring Burney together with readers for discussions of the 2026 statewide selection. (mdhumanities.org) The book was announced in March as this year’s One Maryland One Book title. Maryland Humanities describes the program as the state’s largest reading and discussion initiative. (mdhumanities.org) The 2026 selection is Burney’s 2025 essay collection, published by Simon & Schuster’s Atria Books, according to Maryland Humanities. (mdhumanities.org) The organization said the book draws on Burney’s work as a culture writer and critic and looks at Baltimore, music from the global Black diaspora and the traditions that shaped him. Public libraries and partner institutions have also begun promoting local discussions tied to the selection. ### Which book is at the center of this year’s program? *No Sense in Wishing* was named the 2026 One Maryland One Book selection on March 25, Maryland Humanities said. The organization said the book is a personal and analytical essay collection that takes cues from Burney’s career in criticism while focusing on Baltimore and Black music. (mdhumanities.org) Enoch Pratt Free Library said the book was selected under the 2026 theme “Revolution, Reaction, Reform.” Anne Arundel County Public Library and other local systems are already using the selection for fall programming and reader discussions. ### What did Maryland Humanities announce this week? (mdhumanities.org) Maryland Humanities said this week that Burney will tour Maryland this fall as part of the 2026 author-events program. The organization’s author-events page says the appearances are part of programming for One Maryland One Book and that all events are open to the public. The statewide schedule includes author appearances, book discussions and library-based events listed through September and October on the organization’s events pages. (mdhumanities.org) Maryland Humanities has also posted a dedicated 2026 author-events page with event information for Burney’s tour. (prattlibrary.org) ### When does the public program begin? A virtual kickoff is scheduled for September 3 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., according to Maryland Humanities. The organization said the event will officially begin the 2026 One Maryland One Book programming season and author tour with Burney discussing *No Sense in Wishing*. September 17 and October 24 are among the dates already listed for public discussions of the book on Maryland Humanities event pages. (mdhumanities.org) Those listings show the program moving through local venues as partner organizations host their own conversations around the selection. (mdhumanities.org) ### Where will readers see Burney and related events? Maryland Humanities said Burney will appear at events across Maryland, and its author-events page says readers should check online for information on each stop. The organization has not framed the program as a single-city series; it is being presented as a statewide tour connected to the annual shared-reading campaign. (mdhumanities.org) UMBC hosted an earlier One Maryland One Book event with Burney in April, according to university listings, and public library systems including Enoch Pratt, Anne Arundel County and Harford County are promoting related programming this fall. Those listings indicate the book is already circulating through campus, library and community partners ahead of the main author tour. (mdhumanities.org) ### What comes next for the 2026 One Maryland One Book rollout? September 3 is the next dated milestone on Maryland Humanities’ calendar, with the virtual kickoff set to open the fall season. The organization’s 2026 author-events page and One Maryland One Book program page are carrying updated event information for Burney’s appearances and other public discussions tied to *No Sense in Wishing*. (mdhumanities.org 1) (mdhumanities.org 2) (dreshercenter.umbc.edu)