Kashana Cauley & Irene Marquette
About the event
It was an Evening of Fun, Laughs and A Spicy Heist Story
FEBRUARY 3, 2026
Novelist and TV comedy writer Kashana Cauley and independent writer and producer Irene Marquette, had us in stiches during their rollicking conversation about Cauley’s latest novel The Payback, the rollercoaster of comedy writing, comedy heroes, working at malls, and writing prescient novels that seem to anticipate current events.
Our hosted happy hour preceding the conversation and enjoyed both the conversation, Q & A and took advantage of the book signing. Thank you Linage Performing Art Center for your wonderful theatre and hospitality.
Photos from the event
Featured Authors
Featured Books
At this event
Kashana Cauley
Kashana Cauley isn’t just your average author; she’s the brilliant mind behind The Payback, a NYT Editor’s Choice, and The Survivalists, recognized as one of the best books of 2023 by the BBC, Today Show, Vogue, and many more. With a resume that sparkles, she will discuss her humor writing experience. Cauley's penned hilarious episodes for The Great North, Pod Save America on HBO, and The Daily Show, plus she’s contributed her sharp wit to the likes of The New York Times, The Atlantic, Esquire, The New Yorker, Pitchfork, and Rolling Stone.
The Payback is Kashana Cauley’s second book and named a most anticipated novel by Publishers Weekly, the Boston Globe, Lithub, Bustle, Goodreads, and the New York Times. It is a razor-sharp and hilarious dissection of race and capitalism from one of the most original and exciting writers at work today.
Irene Marquette
Irene Marquette is an independent producer and creator who is passionate about telling stories about nonconformists. Most recently completing four years as Head of Development for Dahvi Waller's production company Federal Engineering Entertainment. Irene grew up performing and writing Las Vegas dinner theater with her family’s company Murder Cafe.
In Chicago she worked extensively with theaters and production companies including iO, The Annoyance, Second City, Columbia College, The Odd Machine and The Lyric Opera. Later she found her footing as the Creative Executive at Kay Cannon and Laverne McKinnon’s K&L Productions and was Associate Producer on Cannon’s Cinderella (2021). She hosts The Curio Show, an evolving, experiential variety show.
