2019 Book Festival Events

Friday, October 4, 2019 Abilene Public Library, 2nd Floor Auditorium 202 Cedar St.
ALL DAY	Authors in Schools Nationally acclaimed children's authors Janee Trasler (author of Big Chickie, Little Chickie and Bathtime for Chickies) and Liz Garton Scanlon (author of the Caldecott Medal honor book All the World and Kate Who Tamed the Wind) will visit students at various school campuses throughout the day. Students will learn about their profession, the stories they've written, and the joys of books and reading.
11:00AM - 1:00PM	Writing is Rewriting: The Craft of Revision Attend a great workshop led by author Mary Helen Specht. As an Abilene native, who now resides in Austin, TX, Specht will make her second appearance at the festival, in this free workshop that's perfect for budding/aspiring writers, or for those who have an interest in the process. Come prepared to take some notes, as well as with your questions to maximize your experience.

Saturday, October 5, 2019 Abilene Convention Center 1100 N. 6th St.
8:00AM - 9:00AM	Registration Arrive at the Abilene Convention Center and check in with festival volunteers.
9:00AM - 9:45AM	Children's Authors Panel The public is invited out to a great panel featuring children's authors Janee Trasler and Liz Garton Scanlon. Both will be speaking about their experiences as authors and their wonderful children's books and series.
9:45AM - 10:00AM	Book Sales & Book Signings Participate in a book signing with the featured children's authors following their panel discussion. Peruse festival titles for purchase by all featured authors as well.
10:00AM - 10:45AM	Poetry for Everyone If you have an interest in poetry, you'll certainly want to attend this free event featuring Sylvia Vardell. She'll be on hand sharing her works, Great Morning! and The Poetry of Science.
10:00AM - 10:45AM	Ten Books for a Desert Island What books do you need if stranded on a desert island? Get a good idea by attending this panel that will be moderated by Glenn Dromgoole. Guests will be treated to a lively discussion featuring James W. Lee, Damon Parker, Chrissy Adkins, and Mary Helen Specht.
10:45AM - 11:00AM	Book Sales & Book Signings Participate in a book signing with the featured authors at the "Poetry for Everyone" and the "Ten Books for a Desert Island" events following their programs. Also, peruse all festival titles for purchase for the year too.
11:00AM - 11:45AM	W.F. Strong - My Greatest Hits from West Texas If you're looking to hear about some great stories featuring the Lone Star State, you'll want to attend this free session featuring author W.F. Strong. The author of Stories from Texas: Some of Them True, Strong is a noted Texas storyteller having shared many on NPR stations since 2010.
11:45AM - 12:00PM	Book Sales & Book Signings Participate in a book signing with featured author W.F. Strong following his session presentation. Also, peruse all festival titles available for purchase this year.
12:00PM - 1:15PM	Boots & Books Luncheon (Ticketed Event) You won't want to miss this years Boots & Books Luncheon, with Gary McCaleb serving as your Master of Ceremonies. Guests will be treated to a catered lunch while enjoying the presentation of the 2019 A.C. Greene Award, presented annually to a distinguished Texas author for lifetime achievement. This year’s recipient is James Ward Lee, author of titles on history and Texana including Adventures with a Texas Humanist, Literary Fort Worth, and Elmer Kelton: Essays and Memories. You'll also witness the presentation of the Ricki Brown Librarian of the Year Award.
1:30PM - 2:15PM	Author Robert Jacobus Take a step back into history by attending this session featuring author Robert Jacobus. As a retired history teacher and coach, he's authored a great title called Black Man in the Huddle: Stories from the Integration of Texas Football.
1:30PM - 2:15PM	Author Audrey Wick If you're into contemporary romance stories, feel free to see Audrey Wick, the author of Texas-set fiction including the Texas Sisters series with the titles Finding True North and Coming Home, as well as a new Texas BBQ Brothers series with On the Market and Off the Market.
2:15PM - 3:00PM	Book Sales & Signings Participate in a book signing with the featured authors from the previous two sessions, as well as get your last chance to purchase the titles of other featured authors from the festival.

Sunday October 6, 2019

South Branch Library, Meeting Room
4310 Buffalo Gap Rd.

2:00PM - 4:00PM

Local Author Showcase

Everyone is invited to be a part of this great festival event focusing on local writing talent. This event will be a showcase and reception to honor all local authors who have had a book published within the last 12 months. This event was created to highlight the incredible talent from our own community and everyone is encouraged to come out and meet them. Hear each author give remarks about their latest work.