Carolyn Bess, producer of Arts & Letters Live, just told a small gathering of reporters what she and the Dallas Museum of Art are planning for the 17th season, January-June 2008.

Kicking off the series of Distinguished Writers is Geraldine Brooks (seen at right), who received the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction for March, a novel centering on Bronson Alcott, one of the American Transendentalists and father of Louisa May Alcott. Brooks’ new novel is People of the Book, which she will discuss at Temple Emanu-el. (Several of the programs will be off site.)

In addition to Brooks, others in the Distinguished Writers series are Thomas Cahill, discussing Mysteries of the Middle Ages and How the Irish Saved Civilization; Louise Erdich on her latest novel, The Plague of Doves; and Tony Kushner on his acclaimed play, Angels in America. Kushner will be interviewed by Kevin Moriarity, the new artistic director of the Dallas Theater Center. Quite smartly Bess is bringing in Kushner as the FW Opera premieres Angels in America in May as part of its festival.

Arts& Letters Live always includes a lot more programming, some for kids (now dubbed BooksmART), others such as Texas Bound and Fresh Ink, which is free and part of the DMA’s Late Nights, and formerly known as the Literary Cafe.

Tickets can be ordered by mail only through Dec. 28, and by mail and phone (214-922-1818) beginning Jan. 2.