Hooked on Bookfests, Part I: Franklin County

I’m getting pumped about participating in three bookfests—the Franklin County Book Festival (August 18-19), the Valley Bookfest (August 26), and the Hanover Book Festival (October 14).

I’m on the planning committee for the Franklin County Book Festival. Last year—our inaugural year—our keynote speaker was Dr. James “Bud” Robertson. His speech was so well-received by the folks who packed the Rocky Mount United Methodist church to hear him that we wondered how we could ever top him. We figured we might ask him back. We did, he accepted, and this year he will speak about Robert E. Lee.

This year, we’ve gotten ambitious—we expanded our offerings to two days, and sponsored a bookmark contest for young people. Over a hundred kids submitted bookmarks for our theme, “How Books Nourish Us.” Judging was tough.

At 7:00 p.m. on Friday night before the bookfest, we’re doing an “appetizer”—readings at the Edible Vibe in downtown Rocky Mount. I’ll read from my soon-to-be-PODed book, More Peevish Advice. Roanoke poet Dick Raymond will read some of his Civil War poems from his soon-to-be-released book, Ballads in Blue and Gray. Mike Allen, the editor/publisher of Mythic Delirium, will read some of his speculative poetry, plus he’ll be a speaker on Saturday, too. Two recently published essayists will also read—Fred First from his wonderful Slow Road Home and Marion Higgins from her funny and somewhat autobiographical When Men Move to the Basement.

All of Saturday’s presentations, except for Robertson’s lecture, take place at the Franklin County Library in downtown Rocky Mount. Here’s the schedule for Saturday, August 19:

9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Keynote Presentation: Prof. James T. Robertson, noted Civil War Historian.

11:00-11:30 a.m.
Dr. Robertson signs his books at the library; coffee & donuts provided.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
A Taste of War: Jim Morrison (Chair), June Goode, Joseph Mark Scalia, Pamela Hain.

Finding a Clear Path: Jim Minick (Finding a Clear Path)

11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Mining the Gold of a Story: Colleen Redman (The Jim and Dan Stories: A Journey of Grief and Faith)

12:00 p.m.-12:30 p.m.
The Secret Life of a Mystery Writer: Maureen Robb (Patterns in Silicon)

12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. – Lunch in Farmers’ Market

1:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Sequential Boom: the Graphic Novel: Dean Browell (Extra Heroes)

How to Run an Effective Book Club: Fred Canova (Chair), Sonja Riche, Sandra Grey, Beverly Scott, Ginny Brock.

2:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
The Future of Reading: a Talk and a Warning: Keith Ferrell

Speculative Poetry: Mike Allen (Mythic Delirium)

Friends of the Franklin County Library Reception to follow final presentations.

Y’all come see us, hear? More about the other two bookfests later.