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FEED YOUR SOUL – AND YOUR APPETITE! – AT THE LOUISIANA BOOK FESTIVAL
Announcing an exciting line-up of musicians, chefs, and authors BATON ROUGE, La.– The 15th Annual Louisiana Book Festival will feature chefs, cookbook authors, foodways as well as music historians and scholars, musicians, and more on Saturday, November 10, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. throughout Capitol Park in Downtown Baton Rouge. “In Louisiana, it’s not a real celebration unless you have some fantastic live music and something delicious to eat,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “The Louisiana Book Festival truly offers a full festival experience. We hope you join the party.” “We’re always excited for the opportunity to celebrate Louisiana’s unique culture, rich musical talent, and delicious cuisine at the book festival each year,” said State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton. “We hope attendees take full advantage of all the fun offered at the festival. Best of all, just like our panel presentations, book talks, and other programs, there is absolutely no charge to listen to world-class musicians performing on the Entertainment Stage, or to sample the food prepared by renowned chefs in our Cooking Demonstration Tent.” Top Chef fan favorite and four-time James Beard Best Chef of the South Finalist and Semi-Finalist Isaac Toups will be giving a cooking demonstrationand signing his cookbook, Chasing the Gator. Also featured in the Cooking Demonstration Tent will be health coach Brittany Lynn Kriger with her book, Glowing Goddess Guru Beast Manifesto; Nancy Tregre Wilson with her cookbook, Mémère's Country Creole Cookbook: Recipes and Memories from Louisiana's German Coast; and 2018 King of Louisiana and American Seafood and Louisiana Cookin’ magazine 2017 “Chef to Watch” Chef Ryan Trahan. Poppy Tooker, author, culinary historian, and host of the popular weekly radio show Louisiana Eats! will also be in attendance with her latest book, Pascal's Manale Cookbook: A Family Tradition, together with Justin Nystrom, author of Creole Italian: Sicilian Immigrants and the Shaping of New Orleans Food Culture; and Joe Johnston will explore the history of Southern food with his book, Grits to Glory: How Southern Cookin' Got So Good. There’s even a novel flavored with meals for death row prisoners, The Last Suppers by Mandy Mikulencak. Young foodies can get a taste of the fun in the Cooking Demonstration Tent with Louisiana author Whitney Stewart, who will be presenting her book, What's on Your Plate?: Exploring the World of Food. Other featured titles for young people that focus on Louisiana cuisine include Gumbo: A Magical Bayou Taleby Cajun native Alexis Braud; and Who Got the Baby in the King Cake? by the 2017 Louisiana Writer Award recipient, Johnette Downing. Literary musical highlights include writer Rien Fertel with his featured book Drive-By Truckers' Southern Rock Opera, which explores the history of Southern Rock as a part of Bloomsbury’s 33 1/3 series of short books about popular music; and Gavin Cologne-Brookes, professor of American literature and program leader for the MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University in England, discussing his American Lonesome: The Work of Bruce Springsteen. All cooking demonstrations, book discussions, and panel presentations will be followed by book signings in the Barnes and Noble book signing tent, where attendees will have the opportunity to meet featured presenters and have their books signed and personalized. This year’s Louisiana Book Festival will also feature musical performances in a variety of genres ranging from funk to alternative, country blues to surf rock, on the Entertainment Stage from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., including performances by DUBYA, Circa Amore, Henry Turner, Bucket List, and The Bills. J.D. Wilkes, charismatic frontman for the Legendary Shack Shakers, will give a solo performance and is also a featured author at the festival for his debut novel, The Vine That Ate the South. For a full list of authors, information about their books, and a downloadable schedule, please visit www.LouisianaBookFestival.org. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Julio Guichard/Bill Sherman THE LOUISIANA BOOK FESTIVAL WELCOMES YOUNG READERS
What Young Readers and Families Can Expect at the 15th Annual Louisiana Book Festival BATON ROUGE, La.– The Louisiana Book Festival is thrilled to announce an exciting line-up of activities and programs for young people from toddlers to teens as it celebrates 15 years as the Pelican State’s premier literary event. The festival, to be held on Saturday, November 10, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Baton Rouge’s Capitol Park, will feature author talks and book signings, a special Teen Headquarters, storytellers, games, crafts, face painting, balloon animals, live musical performances, and special appearances by Curious George and Clifford the Big Red Dog. As always, the festival is free and open to the public. “The Louisiana Book Festival gives the young people of our state an extraordinary opportunity to meet, listen to, interact with, and have their favorite books signed and personalized by some of the most popular and renowned children’s and young adult authors from across the country,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “Best of all, the book festival will hopefully inspire the next generation of great Louisiana writers.” “Literacy rates are a critical indicator of the economic, cultural, and overall health of any community,” said State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton. “The Louisiana Book Festival not only offers an entertaining festival experience for families of all ages, but is a fantastic enrichment opportunity that motivates young people to become life-long readers. Whether you are coming to see your favorite author, or to discover your next great read, the Louisiana Book Festival is a must for your family fall calendar!” The festival is excited to welcome back the 2017 Louisiana Writer Award recipient and Louisiana native, Johnette Downing. Other authors featured at this year’s festival include The New York Timesbestselling author, poet, and Coretta Scott King and Caldecott honor recipient Carole Boston Weatherford with her Walter award winning picture book, Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library; Newbery honor winner Rita Williams-Garcia with her National Book Award finalist chapter book Clayton Byrd Goes Underground; The New York Times bestselling young adult authors Justina Ireland, Karen McManus, Joelle Charbonneau, and New Orleans’ own Daniel José Older; Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice selection and NAACP Image Award winner Gwendolyn Hooks with her picture book biography Tiny Stitches: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas; and Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated actress and Louisiana native Quvenzhané Wallis with her latest series, Shai & Emmie, along with many others. Louisiana native William Joyce, children’s author, illustrator, and Academy Award winning filmmaker, will be in attendance to sign books and present a program on Jack Frost: The End Becomes the Beginning, available for the first time at the festival before its official publication date. Joyce is also the creator of this year’s festival artwork, which depicts his beloved character Mr. Morris Lessmore with his fantastic flying books floating over the State Capitol and is featured on festival merchandise. Celebrated, bestselling author and artist Svetlana Chamakova, winner of the Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice award for her graphic novel, Awkward, will be honored and give a presentation at noon in the State Library, followed by a book signing at the Barnes and Noble bookselling tent. For a full list of authors and schedule, please visit www.LouisianaBookFestival.org. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Julio Guichard/Bill Sherman THE LOUISIANA BOOK FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 15 YEARS
What to Expect as We Open the Pages of Another Book Festival Weekend BATON ROUGE, La.– Mark your calendars: the 15th annual Louisiana Book Festival will be held on Saturday, November 10,from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free, family-friendly, annual festival celebrating readers, writers, and their books returns to its premier location in downtown Baton Rouge’s Capitol Park with events and programming in the Louisiana State Capitol, State Library of Louisiana, Capitol Park Museum, Capitol Park Welcome Center, and in tents on neighboring streets. More than 250 authors and presenters will discuss their books at over 100 programs throughout the day, followed by book signings in the Barnes and Noble tent, where all featured titles will also be available for purchase. The 2018 festival also includes the Young Readers Pavilion, where children and parents can enjoy children’s authors, storytelling performances, book-related crafts, face painting, and balloon animals; Teen HQ, featuring bestselling and award-winning young adult authors and activities; live musical performances; cooking demonstrations; and a wide variety of book-related activities and exhibitors. “Louisiana is well-known for its vibrant festivals, and the Louisiana Book Festival is one of the best,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, who, along with State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton, will kick off this year’s festival with the presentation of the Louisiana Writer Award to poet and essayist Sheryl St. Germain. “You simply can’t beat the joyful atmosphere that reverberates through downtown Baton Rouge each year for the Louisiana Book Festival. It is something I think every Louisianan should experience!” “We’re so proud to bring the entirely free Louisiana Book Festival to Baton Rouge each year,” said State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton. “Whether you’re interested in a page-turning mystery, an inspiring memoir, the hottest new Young Adult series, gorgeous literary prose, or fascinating true-crime stories, there is truly something for everyone at the Louisiana Book Festival. We encourage visitors to bring the whole family!” Authors attending this year’s festival include Pulitzer Prize winner Jack E. Davis discussing his book The Gulf: The Making of An American Sea; legendary author and recipient of the first ever Louisiana Writer Award Ernest J. Gaines; and, New Orleans chef and Top Chef season 13 fan favorite Isaac Toups doing cooking demos from his cookbook, Chasing the Gator: Isaac Toups and the New Cajun Cooking, and many more. To learn about additional authors attending the 15th Louisiana Book Festival, click here. Also featured will be programs on books discussing beloved literary classic characters including Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters by UNO professor Anne Boyd Rioux and Atticus Finch: The Biography by prize-winning historian Joseph Crespino. The festival is also excited to welcome poet GennaRose Nethercott whose book The Lumberjack’s Dove was selected as a winner of the National Poetry Series. GennaRose will be available during the festival to compose personalized, custom “poetry-to-order” which she creates on a 1952 Hermes Rocket typewriter on any topic of an attendee’s choice. GennaRose then reads the poem aloud before handing the individual the only existing copy of the poem, which is theirs to keep! Now in its tenth year, the One Book, One Festival program invites attendees to read the same title in advance and later join the scholar-led discussion with others during the festival. LSU professor Dr. Katie Henninger will lead this year’s discussion of E. P. O'Donnell's 1941 literary and cultural classic novel The Great Big Doorstep. This year’s official festival artwork was created by Louisiana native William Joyce, Academy Award winning writer, illustrator, and filmmaker, and features his beloved character Mr. Morris Lessmore floating over the State Capitol with the aid of his fantastic flying books. Signed, commemorative posters will be available for purchase from our merchandise and information tents along with t-shirts, tote bags, souvenir pins, mugs, and a special 15th anniversary Christmas ornament. Pre-festival events on Friday, November 9, at the State Library include half-day WordShops, which offer opportunities for aspiring writers of all levels to work in an intimate setting with renowned authors. This year, The New York Times bestselling Jonathan Evison,Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers pick Tessa Fontaine, and acclaimed essayist LSU writing professor Joshua Wheeler are leading writing wordshops, while authors Suzanne Hudson and Joe Formichella will be leading a wordshop on self-publishing. For more information, including how to register for WordShops and sign-up to volunteer and receive a free Louisiana Book Festival t-shirt, please visit www.LouisianaBookFestival.org. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Julio Guichard/Bill Sherman 15TH ANNUAL LOUISIANA BOOK FESTIVAL SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
BATON ROUGE, La.– The 2018 Louisiana Book Festival is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join in the celebration for an insider’s experience of the festival. Hundreds of volunteers are needed in a variety of capacities, including welcoming presenters, escorting authors, assisting with programs, staffing festival information booths, and more. Those interested in volunteering can find more information about the Festival’s volunteer opportunities by visiting http://www.louisianabookfestival.org/volunteer.html and can sign up using our simple online form. The 15th annual Louisiana Book Festival will be held on Saturday, November 10, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. “Volunteering at the Louisiana Book Festival is a fantastic way to be a part of the action and to connect with other book-loving Louisianans,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, adding, “I am always proud of the strong volunteering spirit we have in Louisiana and as this event continues to grow our need for volunteers grows.” “We couldn’t host such a phenomenal celebration of readers, writers, and their books without the many dedicated individuals who come out to volunteer for the Louisiana Book Festival year after year,” said State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton. “From the cooking tent to the Young Readers Pavilion, we have a volunteer position for almost every interest. If you haven’t volunteered for the book festival before, our 15th anniversary festival is the perfect year to start!” Festival volunteers who register by October 27th will receive a free 2018 Louisiana Book Fest T-shirt, which this year features Louisiana artist and 2008 Louisiana Writer Award recipient William Joyce’s Academy Award winning character, Mr. Morris Lessmore with his famous flying books, soaring by the State Capitol. Festival coordinators are happy to accommodate groups of friends, family, or organizations who wish to volunteer together. This free, nationally recognized literary event will take place in the heart of Baton Rouge in the Louisiana State Capitol, State Library of Louisiana, Capitol Park Museum, and tents on neighboring streets. This year is the 15th anniversary of the book festival and will feature more than 250 authors and panelists discussing their books and more than 100 programs, including the Young Readers Pavilion, where children and parents will enjoy storytelling and performances; Teen Headquarters, featuring New York Timesbestselling and award winning young adult authors; and a wide variety of book-related activities, exhibitors, and performances. See www.louisianabookfestival.org for complete details. Please call Alise Wascom at 225-342-4996 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with all volunteer questions and inquiries. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Julio Guichard/Bill Sherman RENOWNED AUTHORS TO TEACH “WORDSHOPS” FOR ASPIRING LOUISIANA WRITERS
Louisiana Book Festival announces line-up of instructors for annual pre-festival event BATON ROUGE, La.—The Louisiana Book Festival is excited to announce the instructors for the 2018 WordShops – half-day writing workshops on a variety of craft and book marketing topics to take place at the State Library of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. The courses are designed for people writing fiction or nonfiction. This year’s “book business” WordShop focuses exclusively on self-publishing. All WordShops offer invaluable opportunities for professional networking. Individuals from a variety of writing backgrounds and experience are encouraged to attend. “Louisiana is full of stories and people who write those stories. Our state has such a rich literary history that we are excited to announce this exceptional opportunity at the State Library for Louisiana for writers to further develop their craft,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “The WordShops, offered ahead of the extraordinary Louisiana Book Festival, are excellent, educational experiences for anyone who enjoys books and good conversation.” “Louisiana has so many amazing storytellers and raconteurs. Whether you’ve had a manuscript in the hopper for years or have just started to write down your stories, the WordShops offered at the State Library of Louisiana as part of the 2018 Louisiana Book Festival offer a rare and intimate opportunity for local aspiring writers of all backgrounds to study with celebrated authors from all over the country,” said State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton. “If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing your name on the cover of a book, definitely check out our WordShops!” The WordShop schedule for Friday, November 9, 2018: · 9 a.m. – Noon o Suzanne Hudson and Joe Formichella– The Art of Self-Publishing: Minimizing the Mad Middle Men and Reclaiming Your Writing o Joshua Wheeler– Remixing Your Roots: Writing About Home with Accuracy, Originality, and Plenty of Imagination · 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. o Jonathan Evison– Your Partner, The Reader: Exploring the Reader/Writer Collaboration o Tessa Fontaine– Close and Bright: A Nonfiction Workshop Registration for each WordShop is $50; for a person attending two WordShops, the cost is $90. Space is limited. Registration and payment are due by Friday, October 26. After that date, registrations will be accepted only as space allows. Please find full WordShop descriptions as well as short author biographies by visiting http://www.louisianabookfestival.org/wordshops.html. To register, please call 225-219-9503 or visit https://bontempstix.com/events/LBF-WordShops. For more information on the 2018 Louisiana Book Festival, please visit www.louisianabookfestival.org. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Julio Guichard/Bill Sherman
POET, ESSAYIST SHERYL ST. GERMAIN TO RECEIVE 19TH ANNUAL LOUISIANA WRITER AWARD
Louisiana native to be honored at this year’s Louisiana Book Festival
BATON ROUGE, La.—The Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana is proud to announce Louisiana native Sheryl St. Germain has been selected as the recipient of the 19th annual Louisiana Writer Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution “We are fortunate to live in a state which produces such rich literary talent,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “We are proud to call Sheryl St. Germain one of our own, and I am excited for the opportunity not only to present this award to her, but to introduce additional Louisiana readers to St. Germain’s impressive body of work.” “Sheryl’s work is as profoundly beautiful as it is important, even as it faces difficult and complex subject matter,” said State Librarian of Louisiana Rebecca Hamilton. “She joins celebrated past recipients such as Ernest Gaines, Valerie Martin, Elmore Leonard, Yusef Komunyakaa, Tim Gautreaux, and the late Christina Vella, to name only a few. It is an honor to present this award to such a truly outstanding writer.” St. Germain is the author of five books of poetry, including her most recent publication, The Small Door of Your Death, which chronicles the loss of her only son to heroin addiction. She has also published two memoirs, Swamp Songs: The Making of an Unruly Woman, and Navigating Disaster: Sixteen Essays of Love and a Poem of Despair. A new collection of essays, Fifty Miles, is forthcoming in Spring 2020. St. Germain is the recipient of several awards, including two National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Literature Fellowships, a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Fellowship, the Dobie-Paisano Fellowship, the Ki Davis Award from the Aspen Writers Foundation, and the William Faulkner Award for the personal essay. She has taught creative writing at numerous universities and colleges including The University of Louisiana at Lafayette and currently directs the Master of Fine Arts program in Creative Writing at Chatham University in Pennsylvania where she also teaches creative nonfiction and poetry. “My earliest poems and essays were inspired by the culture and nature of south Louisiana,” said Sheryl St. Germain, 2018 Louisiana Writer Award recipient. “From the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain to the Atchafalaya Basin the landscape of Louisiana nurtured me as child and adult, and provided hope and a deep sense of history and belonging even when there were darker forces at work in our culture. I’ve written works celebrating the food, the music, and the passion for joy found in the people here, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say I owe my vocation as writer to Louisiana.” Both Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton will be in attendance to present St. Germain with the 2018 Louisiana Writer Award on Saturday, November 10, at the opening ceremony of the Louisiana Book Festival at the State Capitol. For more information on St. Germain and her work, please visit http://www.louisianabookfestival.org/louisiana_writer_award.html. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Julio Guichard/Bill Sherman
LOUISIANA LITERACY AND "THE POWER OF READING" DISCUSSED ON LPB'S LOUISIANA PUBLIC SQUARE SERIES
Rebecca Hamilton, State Librarian, State Library of Louisiana, and Jim Davis, Director of the library’s Louisiana Center for the Book, recently participated in “The Power of Reading,” LPB’s Louisiana Public Square program on improving literacy in the state and championing reading, which was broadcast on August 22, 2018, and is now available online. Rebecca was one of the featured panelists, and Jim served as an audience discussion participant.
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