saturday events
Saturday, November 1 / Kentucky Book Festival / 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Get ready for an exciting day at the Kentucky Book Festival on Saturday, November 1, from 9 am to 3 pm at Joseph-Beth Booksellers! This literary extravaganza promises a delightful mix of activities for book lovers of all ages.
Upstairs, immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere with three stages hosting a variety of panel discussions, engaging conversations, hands-on workshops, and captivating presentations. Whether you’re a budding writer, an avid reader, or simply curious, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and learn from.
Head down the escalator or elevator for a variety of fun kids’ activities, including a magical storytime area where children can listen to enchanting tales read by participating authors. Aspiring young artists can join the illustration workshops and unleash their creativity under the guidance of talented illustrators. You also may run into Rainbow Fish or Mother Bruce while you’re there.
Throughout the lower level, meet over 140 of your favorite authors. This is your chance to chat with them, get your books signed, and discover new reads. Children 14 and under will receive a voucher to select a book from a participating author to take home for free. The Kentucky Book Festival is not just an event; it’s a celebration of stories, imagination, and the joy of reading. Don’t miss out on this literary adventure!
More details on the programs, as well as a complete schedule of events and participating authors, will be available on our website (www.kybookfestival.org) and through our social media channels.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers / 161 Lexington Green Circle / Lexington, KY 40503
STAGE SCHEDULE
10 AM Y’all of Appalachia
UK Main Stage
Julia Flint, Mandi Sheffel, & Shaunna Scott in conversation with Davis Shoulders
10 AM KSPS Welcome
Writer’s Room
With Deidra White, Bill Verble, and Susanna Spearman
10 AM Wide World of Fiction
KCTCS Stage
Allegra Solomon, Sarah Landenwich, & Elizabeth Bass Parman in conversation with Bob Johnson
11 AM Secrets of Adulthood
UK Main Stage
Gretchen Rubin in conversation with Kevin Nance
11 AM Writing for Young Readers
Writer’s Room
Jamie D’Amato, Misako Rocks!, & Nathan Landrum in conversation with Mariama J. Lockington
11 AM Uncovering Family
KCTCS Stage
Johnisha Matthew Levi, James Wells, & Martha S. Jones in conversation with Sonya Lea
12 PM Telling My Story
UK Main Stage
Martha Barnette, George Ella Lyon, & Angela Correll in conversation with Marvin Bartlett
12 PM Wish You Were Here: Writing about Place & the Lyric Short Form
Writer’s Room
Lynnell Edwards
12 PM Bourbon, Spirits, & Cocktails
KCTCS Stage
Jennifer Brian, Belinda Smith-Sullivan, & Elias Eells in conversation with Susan Reigler
12 PM Supporting Kentucky Writers with James Baker Hall Foundation
Writer’s Room
Toni Ann Johnson & Wesley Houp in conversation with Larry Pemble
1 PM Looking at Lexington History
UK Main Stage
Keven McQueen, Christopher Newman, & Jeremy Popkin in conversation with Fiona Young-Brown
1 PM Poetry Read Around
KCTCS Stage
2 PM Documenting Life
Writer’s Room
Elizabeth DeWolfe, Bryan Bush, & Louis S. DeLuca in conversation with Jessica Whitehead
2 PM Can’t Stop the Music
KCTCS Stage
Barry Mazor, B. Elizabeth Beck, & Mark Rigney in conversation with Marianne Peel
2 PM Kentucky State Poetry Society Keynote
UK Main Stage
Kathleen Driskell & Silas House in conversation with Katerina Stoykova
KID ZONES