2018 LitFest Gala Hosts: Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, My Favorite Murder creators and authors of the forthcoming book Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered, will host the PEN America 2018 LitFest Gala. They join previously announced honorees, Academy Award Winning writer-director Barry Jenkins, who will receive the Award for Screenplay Excellence, globally lauded artist Ai Weiwei, who will receive the Artistic Expression Award, and PEN America Trustee Marvin Putnam, recipient of the Distinguished Leadership Award.

“We’re thrilled to announce that writers, comedians, and podcasters, Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark will host the 2018 LitFest Gala. By combining true crime, humor, and personal narrative, Karen and Georgia have helped audiences face their deepest fears with laughter. I can’t imagine a better resume for this year’s gala hosts.”

—Michelle Franke, Executive Director, PEN America in Los Angeles

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Known for her biting wit and musical prowess, Karen Kilgariff has been a staple in the comedy world for decades. As a performer, she has appeared on Mr. Show, The Book Group, and Conan. She was the head writer for the first five years of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, then transitioned to scripted, writing for shows like Other Space, Portlandia, and Baskets. Her musical comedy album, Live At The Bootleg, was included in Vulture’s Top 9 of 2014 and in Stitcher’s Top 11 of 2014.

Georgia Hardstark has enjoyed a successful career as a food writer and Cooking Channel on-camera personality, which began with the invention of the farcical cocktail, The McNuggetini. She went on to co-host a travel/adventure/party show called Tripping Out with Alie & Georgia, and a regular gig on Cooking Channel’s #1 show, Unique Sweets. She capped that off as a repeat guest narrator on Comedy Central’s hit show, Drunk History.

For more information visit MyFavoriteMurder.com or follow My Favorite Murder:
Facebook: @MFMpodcast
Instagram: @myfavoritemurder
Twitter: @MyFavMurder

Visit Georgia Hardstark and her cats online:
Instagram: @hardstark and @elvisandmimianddot
Twitter: @GHardstark

Visit Karen Kilgariff on Twitter at @KarenKilgariff

MY FAVORITE MURDER PODCAST INFO:

My Favorite Murder is the hit true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Since its inception in early 2016, the show has broken download records and sparked an enthusiastic, interactive “Murderino” fan base who came out in droves to the sold-out nationwide live show tours. A top 10 regular on iTunes’ comedy podcast chart, My Favorite Murder has been featured in Entertainment Weekly, The Atlantic, Nylon, and Rolling Stone magazine. Aside from being avid true crime enthusiasts, Karen Kilgariff is a stand-up comedian and television writer, and Georgia Hardstark is a writer and host for the Cooking Channel.