MONTGOMERY, Ala.--- The sixth annual Alabama Book Festival (ABF) will be held in historic downtown Montgomery at Old Alabama Town on April 16, 10 a.m. -4 p.m. The free public event is the state’s premier book festival—with more than thirty writers and 4,000 visitors from around the country to meet with and hear from their favorite authors and musicians.

 

Programs and activities include author appearances, book signings, musical performances, and an exhibit area featuring literary organizations and vendors selling books and other items of interest to booklovers. A children’s activity area organized by Alabama Public Television is sure to make this a day of fun for the entire family.

 

The 2011 festival will include internationally acclaimed poet, playwright, and Harper Lee Award recipient Sonia Sanchez. Additional Harper Lee Award winners Rick Bragg, William Cobb, and Wayne Greenhaw will also present at the festival. Best-selling authors Erica Spindler and Mark Childress are attending as well with their currents books, Blood Vines and Georgia Bottoms.

 

Poets Melissa Blackburn, E.E. Wade, Tony Crunk, Jake Adam York, and Randall Horton will read selections from their new work. And to celebrate The Year of Alabama Music, singer-songwriters Janet Simpson and Dan Farmer will perform.

 

Eric Litwin, also known as Pete the Cat, Alex Beard and Art Roche will entertain the youngest readers throughout the day. Authors of young adult books include Chandra Sparks Taylor, Roger Reid, and Ted Dunagan.

For more information, including a full list of participating authors, volunteer information and directions visit www.alabamabookfestival.org or call 1-888-240-1850.

 

Sponsors include the Alabama Humanities Foundation, Alabama Library Association, Alabama Public Television, Alabama State Council on the Arts, Alabama Writers’ Forum, Capitol Book and News, Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities at Auburn University, City of Montgomery, Montgomery City-County Library System, NewSouth Books, Old Alabama Town/Landmarks Foundation, River City Publishing, and Troy University.

 

Media contact:
Kelsey Sullivan, Marketing Director
K.Sullivan@oldalabamatown.com
334.240.4617