It was a cold and rainy day yesterday, which in my mind is the perfect day to attend a literary festival. How to select which authors and panels to attend, when there were so many great choices? Below are the ones I decided to attended.
11am session: Andre Dubus III reads from his work in progress
The New York Times calls Dubus’ latest book “staggeringly good.” Join us for a reading of his work In progress.
Presenter: Andre Dubus III
He was funny, and entertained the crowd by reading his knitting essay.
1pm session: Inspired by Hollywood and Hitchcock
Hallie Ephron talks about growing up in a Hollywood family with screenwriters for parents and three talented sisters, all accomplished writers. She talks about how the Ephron girls were groomed to write, and how real family drama and a love of Hitchcock movies fuel her suspense novels – including her newest bestseller, There Was An Old Woman.
Presenter: Hallie Ephron
She told a funny and poignant story about her parents and famous sisters.
2:30pm session: Real Life in Literature: The Art of Mixing Fact and Fiction
Blurring the lines between fact and fiction, "realistic fiction" offers an engaging novel that is plausible, yet wholly crafted by the author. Listen as three best-selling authors discuss their use of historic persons, settings, and events to support their imagined story lines. Join Jenna Blum, Caroline Leavitt, and J. Courtney Sullivan as they talk about the challenge of weaving fact into their fiction.
Presenters: Jenna Blum, Caroline Leavitt, J.Courtney Sullivan
Moderator: Dawn Rennert
Loved this panel of smart, funny, and articulate women who rocked the stage in their cowboy boots.
4pm session: Marge Piercy reads from The Cost of Lunch, Etc.
Marge Piercy’s debut collection of short stories, The Cost of Lunch, Etc., brings us glimpses into the lives of everyday women moving through and making sense of their daily internal and external worlds. Keeping to the engaging, accessible language of Piercy’s novels, the collection spans decades of her writing along with a range of locations, ages, and emotional states of her protagonists. Whether grappling with death, familial relationships, friendship, sex, illness, or religion, Piercy’s writing is as passionate, lucid, insightful, and thoughtfully alive as ever.
Presenter: Marge Piercy
I am a huge fan girl of the author, and recall binge reading her books while in college. She is also a funny and entertaining reader. Who knew?
After a fun dinner with new friends, attended the closing ceremony.
7pm session: Closing Ceremony
Editor-in-Chief of O Magazine, Lucy Kaylin, will moderate a panel discussion on the business of bookselling and the influence of Oprah’s Book Club and magazine book reviews. Authors who have benefited from the “Oprah influence” will join Ms. Kaylin in conversation.
Presenters: Jenna Blum, Andre Dubus III, Wally Lamb, Richard Russo
Moderator: Lucy Kaylin
Another fun and informative session.
All in all, had a fun day. If you are a reader, do add this event to your calendar for next year.
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