Readers and Writers, Live! (Readings, Talks and Book Signings)

A day-long series of readings, talks and book signings by fiction writers, graphic novelists, poets, children’s book writers & illustrators, publishing and culinary historians, and independent publishers.  There will be demonstrations of letter carving & displays of other books arts, including hand papermaking, custom bookbinding, and letter press printing. 

10am:   Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators will read from their latest books

Mordicai Gerstein, The Sleeping Gypsy and I Am Peter Pan

Richard Michelson, Fascinating: The Life of Leonard Nimoy

Leslea Newman, Ketzel, the Cat Who Composed

Heidi Stemple, You Nest Here With Me, written with Jane Yolen

Jane Yolen, On Bird Hill, illustrated by Bob Marstall

Children's books will be available for sale by the Eric Carle Museum

11am: Novelist John Crowley will read from Chemical Wedding by Chrstian Rosencrentz, a November release from Small Beer Press, of Easthampton. 

Noon:  Antiquarian bookseller and culinary historian Tom Nealon, of Roslindale, MA, will read from his first book: Food Fights and Culture Wars: A Secret History of Taste, published by the British Library and Overlook Press.

1pm:  Children’s book historian Leonard Marcus, of Brooklyn, NY,  will talk about his new book: Comics Confidential: Thirteen Graphic Novelists Talk Story, Craft and Life Outside the Box, just published by Candlewick Press, with N. C. Christopher Couch,  senior lecturer in Comparative Literature, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.  Couch is the author of numerous books and articles on graphic novels and comic art, including The Will Eisner Companion: The Pioneering Spirit of the Father of the Graphic Novel (with Stephen Weiner) published by DC Comics.

3pm: Nine Pin Press co-editors Jedediah Berry and Emily Houk will introduce a set of readings from their first three publications: The Family Arcana, a story published in the form of a poker deck. Cosmogram, an anthology of horoscope stories, including work from fiction writersHolly Black & Kelly Link.  Zodiac B, by Travis Smith, a debut chapbook, in cards, featuring poems dedicated to constellations stricken from the official register in 1922, including Argo the Ship, Bufo the Toad, Felis the Cat. 

4pm: Music of the Heart. Poetry and Fiddle: A Call and Response

Paris Press publisher and poet Jan Freeman and fiddler Zoe Darrow will create a musical medley of poetry and original compositions on the fiddle in this original "call & response." Jan will read poems from Blue Structure, just published by Calypso Editions, and other work.  Zoe, longstanding member of The Fiddleheads, will perform her original compositions on fiddle in this unique performance celebrating music of the heart.