The National Book Critics Circle, founded in 1974, brings together vital voices in cultural criticism and practitioners of literary arts in its annual prizes and other programming throughout the year. As the NBCC celebrates its 50th anniversary, we propose a dynamic conversation for the Boston Book Festival, gathering Boston-area critics and writers who have served on the NBCC, been recognized for its prizes, or both. Our discussion will offer insight about becoming a book critic, how decisions are made about what books get reviewed, the critic’s relationship to writing criticism and making art, and whatever topics are raised in the Q&A period. The panel will be moderated by Kate Tuttle, a past NBCC president and current editor of the books coverage of the Boston Globe. She will lead a discussion with literary critic and poet Stephanie Burt, memorist and literary critic Nina MacLaughlin, and essayist and cultural critic Jesse McCarthy.