The 36th annual Southern Festival of Books is scheduled to take place at the Bicentennial Mall, Tennessee State Museum, and Tennessee State Library and Archives on October 26-27, 2024. The announcement was made by Humanities Tennessee, the festival’s producer. This revered event, which garners the attention of book lovers and authors alike, will be open to the public for two days, featuring panel sessions, discussions, and readings across a spectrum of genres.
The festival will showcase more than 175 authors, with the full lineup to be disclosed at the Author Reveal Party on July 18 at the Tennessee State Museum. Tim Henderson, the Executive Director of Humanities Tennessee, expressed excitement over the festival’s return to the Bicentennial Mall and its venues, promising an even better experience based on attendee feedback and new ideas and partnerships aimed at engaging a diverse audience.
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The festivities will commence on Thursday, October 24, with two special events. The Student Reader Day, a hit among students from Metro Nashville Public Schools, will feature lively discussions with authors and free books for participants. Renowned young adult author Renee Watson is among the confirmed guests. The same evening, a special event featuring bestselling author Erik Larson will be held in collaboration with Parnassus Books.
Responding to popular demand, Humanities Tennessee will partner with The Porch Writer’s Collective on Friday, October 25, to offer four writing workshops led by notable figures such as Ann Powers and Justin Taylor.
The Authors in the Round Dinner, a unique fundraising event for the festival, will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Co-chaired by Allison Stansberry of HCA, this dinner allows attendees to engage with authors in an intimate setting. Stansberry highlighted the event as a pinnacle for book enthusiasts, emphasizing its role in funding the festival and fostering community among authors and readers.
Parnassus Books will serve as the festival bookseller, with featured books available for purchase and signing throughout the weekend. The festival enjoys the support of several prestigious organizations, including the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Tennessee Arts Commission.
For more details and updates on the festival, interested parties are encouraged to visit the official website at www.sofestofbooks.org and follow the festival on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Source: Read Original Release
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