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Brooklyn Book Festival announces full lineup

Week of Literary Events Begins Sept. 11

August 28, 2017 Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Author Javaka Steptoe will be at BKBF’s Children’s Day this year. Photo by Gregg Richards
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The Brooklyn Book Festival (BKBF) and Brooklyn Book Festival Literary Council have released the complete schedule for a full week of literary events, beginning Monday, Sept. 11, and culminating with Children’s Day (Saturday, Sept. 16) and Festival Day (Sunday, Sept. 17). “Bookend” events will reflect the diversity of the city and investigate the complexities of today’s world, according to BKBF.

The festival’s Bookend activities will include more than 60 special events highlighting the literary diversity of New York City in venues throughout the boroughs. On Monday, Sept. 11, the week kicks off with iconic artist, performer and author Patti Smith presenting her new book “Devotion” at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn Heights.

Festival Day and Bookend authors will also include Colson Whitehead, Jacqueline Woodson, Jonathan Lethem, Joyce Carol Oates and hundreds more. (See brooklynbookfestival.org for the full schedule).

Children’s Day authors will include Laurie Berkner, Alexandra Bracken, Angela Dominguez, Sharon Draper, Maira Kalman, George O’Connor, Javaka Steptoe, Gene Luen Yang and many more.

The flagship 14-stage Festival Day is New York City’s largest free literary event, attracting tens of thousands each year, according to BKBF. This year’s festival features more than 300 writers of beloved works of fiction and nonfiction, poetry and graphic novels who will participate in panels, readings and other creative performances. Attendees are welcome to take a stroll through the vibrant outdoor Literary Marketplace, hosting more than 200 independent booksellers and publishers. This year’s festival themes address pressing contemporary social and literary topics from refugees and immigration to music writing, science fiction and the always relevant topic of love.

BKBF is as international as New York City itself — this year’s slate of authors represents nations and cultures the world over, including Australia (Ali Cobby Eckermann), Bolivia (Rodrigo Hasbún), Brazil (Fernanda Torres) and many more.

Teen readers will also find their favorite authors on the main Festival Day, where they can experience diverse and vibrant conversations about storytelling at the Brooklyn Law School Student Lounge. Young adult readers can check out panels including Jay Asher, Veronica Chambers, Ibi Zoboi and Mitali Perkins discussing why fitting-in isn’t a necessity; get cozy with Sarah Dessen, Lilliam Rivera, Gabby Rivera, and Adam Silvera talking about some romantic reads; or go a bit darker with E. Lockhart, Danielle Vega, Tiffany D. Jackson, and Barry Lyga’s panel on secrets; among other YA panels.

 

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