The Brattleboro Literary Festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary on the weekend of October 16th. The festival offers a wide array of activities for book lovers, whether they are interested in meeting favorite authors or exploring new reads amidst engaging discussions.
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The schedule for the weekend includes various events across multiple venues. On Friday, October 16th, festivities begin at 7:00 p.m. at 118 Elliot with a 25th Anniversary Celebration and a presentation about James Dodson's book, "The Road That Made America." On Saturday, October 17th, events kick off at 10:00 a.m. with discussions involving authors such as Hannah Lillith Assadi and Karan Mahajan, as well as Wyn Cooper and Tim Mayo. Among the topics covered will be memory, heritage, and love.
By 11:30 a.m., John Seabrook will discuss his book, "The Spinach King," while Shara McCallum and Rebecca Hart Olander will explore conflicting histories. The schedule continues at 1:00 p.m. with Tilar J. Mazzeo and Amity Gaige discussing survival narratives, followed by readings from Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney and Jessica Francis Kane at Stone Church.
Afternoon sessions include discussions on imagined lives led by Erin Somers and Andrew Martin, as well as a session led by Jamaica Kincaid and Anne Fadiman at 2:30 p.m. At 4:00 p.m., Gish Jen and Stefan Merrill Block will present their works at 118 Elliot.
Additionally, the festival will host a special gathering in memory of Stephanie Greene at Morning Glorious Vintage on Friday evening at 8:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Write Action Open Reading will take place at 7:00 p.m., allowing participants to read short pieces with sign-ups at the event.
Sunday will feature a spotlight reading at 11:00 a.m. at 118 Elliot, highlighting various authors who will share from their recent works. The T.P. James Write Like the Dickens Ghost Story Contest will also occur at 12:15 p.m., inviting participants to write a ghost story within one hour for a chance to win $100.
All events, hosted both by the festival and its partners, are free and open to the public, fostering community engagement through storytelling.
Key venues include Stone Church, Mitchell Giddings Fine Arts, 118 Elliot, Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Brooks Memorial Library, and Brooks House Restaurant, with each contributing to the festival's vibrant literary atmosphere.