Brooklyn Book Festival features Rushdie, Auster, other literary stars
Events center around Brooklyn Borough Hall
The Brooklyn Book Festival kicked off on Sunday with more than 100 panel discussions, readings and other literary activities.
Internationally renowned and bestselling authors Salman Rushdie, Paul Auster, Lev Grossman, Joyce Carol Oates and hundreds are taking part part in the event, which is the city’s largest free literary festival, now celebrating its ninth year. Four outdoor stages and eight indoor venues around Borough Hall feature literary luminaries, along with acclaimed debut authors; writers from more than 16 countries including Cuba, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Somalia and Haiti; a wealth of graphic novelists including Paul Pope, Roz Chast and Julia Wertz; and a roster of poets including Poets Laureate Past and Present with Rita Dove, Tina Chang and Ramya Ramana.
More than 40,000 visitors and media from around the world are expected.
“Year nine and kicking at the Brooklyn Book Festival as we continue our mission to produce a free annual world-class literary festival that appeals to huge audiences young and old, New Yorkers and visitors alike. Our pride is our diversity of cutting-edge and iconic authors who grace our stages every year,” said Johnny Temple, chair of the Brooklyn Literary Council.