Kansas Book Festival Highlights Local Literary Talent and Events

In addition, a special talk with Kevin Young, poetry editor at the New Yorker, will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, at the Lawrence Public Library. Attendees can register for free to participate.

Local authors will discuss topics ranging from women's basketball at the University of Kansas to the reimagining of T.S. Eliot classics. They share insights about the Kansas literary scene and recommend noteworthy reads.

Will Averill, who will be part of the "Classics Remixed" panel, discusses his book "Day After the Waste Land." He aims to encourage authors to explore classic texts while adding contemporary elements. Averill notes the supportive nature of Kansas writers, drawing inspiration from the state’s landscape. He recommends titles including "Whack Job: A History of Axe Murder" by Rachel McCarthy James and poetry by Eric McHenry.

Bryn Greenwood, speaking at the "Creating Reality" event, aims to help attendees understand how writers can craft believable worlds. She appreciates the diverse perspectives in the Kansas literary community and recommends R.B. Lemberg’s work, calling it complex.

Rachel McCarthy James will discuss her nonfiction book "Whack Job: A History of Axe Murder" at the "Seeing Red" event. She values the supportive environment for writers in Kansas and recommends local literary venues like the Raven Book Store and various authors’ works.

Silvia Park, co-presenting at "Creating Reality," emphasizes that worldbuilding is essential to storytelling and reflects on its relevance in contemporary times. She suggests "The Privilege of the Happy Ending" by Kij Johnson as a notable local work.

Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg highlights her memoir, "The Magic Eye: A Story of Saving a Life and a Place in the Age of Anxiety," discussing themes of resilience. She values the communal spirit within the Kansas literary scene.

Leslie VonHolten, co-editor of the anthology "Kansas Matters: Twenty-First-Century Writers on the Sunflower State," hopes attendees connect over shared experiences of Kansas’s dynamic landscape.

Marian E. Washington will discuss her memoir detailing her role in building the women's athletic program at the University of Kansas, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the history behind women's sports.

George Frazier will address the ecology of grassland rivers at the "Watery Ways" event, underlining their significance in the Midwest landscape. He celebrates the camaraderie among Kansas writers.

Kansas Notable Book awardees are recognized each year at the festival, with Sarah Henning’s "The Lies We Conjure" being one of the 2025 honorees.

The festival serves as a gathering point for the local literary community, aiming to elevate diverse stories that capture the essence of Kansas.