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Texas Book Festival Set to Enchant Attendees in Austin
The Texas Book Festival (TBF) is gearing up for its return to downtown Austin on November 16-17, 2024, with expectations of drawing around 40,000 literature enthusiasts. This year, the festival will immerse attendees in the literary world with over 280 authors participating in approximately 220 sessions. BookPeople, a prominent independent bookstore in Austin, will serve as the official bookseller, collaborating with nearly 90 exhibitors set up across five dedicated tents.
Among the standout events is a much-anticipated appearance by actor Matthew McConaughey, who will engage in discussions with filmmaker Richard Linklater and author Malcolm Gladwell. Due to the high demand for his sessions, McConaughey will host a second back-to-back event on Sunday. Notably, around one-third of the authors have ties to Texas, showcasing local talent alongside national figures.
Additional noteworthy authors include Hanif Abdurraqib, Rumaan Alam, Christina Rivera Garza, Attica Locke, Rachel Kong, Claire Messud, and Michelle Norris. The festival will also feature returning names like Stephen Graham Jones and Rita Bullwinkel, who are set to engage in conversations with Mary Ellen Bertino. For those interested, the complete schedule is available online.
Dalia Azim, COO of TBF, expressed excitement about this year’s expansion, particularly in bilingual programs for Spanish-speaking audiences. She noted the introduction of a designated poetry tent, aimed at fostering innovation and maintaining the rich programming that has become synonymous with the festival.
The poetry tent will host twelve sessions, featuring a reading by the esteemed 2024 Texas Writer Award recipient Naomi Shihab Nye. Additionally, panels will delve into themes such as environmental challenges, war, and Texas identity, all through the lens of verse. This intimate venue can accommodate between 50 and 60 participants per session.
The Leamos tent will spotlight Hispanic and Latina authors, showcasing five sessions presented in Spanish or bilingually. Highlighted discussions include “Voces Luminosas: Poetas Latinos en Conversación” with José Olivarez, Reyes Ramirez, and JoaquÃn Zihuatanejo, along with “La Identidad en Evolución de una Nación” featuring Ray Suarez.
This year’s festival will reclaim its comprehensive footprint along Congress Avenue, stretching from 7th to 11th Streets. An exciting new aspect is the enhanced programming at the State Theater, promising sessions with BIPOC authors and a vibrant mix of perspectives. Azim noted that the roster reflects a stronger diversity than in previous years, with over 65 writers of color participating.
Family-friendly programming is also a major focus, with 40 scheduled events. The Read Me a Story tent will cater to younger audiences through picture books, while the Next Chapter tent targets middle-grade readers, and YA HQ encompasses young adult literature. Each of these areas will have adjacent spaces for interactive activities suited to various age groups.
As Texas has experienced ongoing challenges regarding book bans, Azim addressed concerns about potential pressures from local officials. She affirmed that the festival remains firm in its commitment to unrestricted access to literature. “It’s core to our work,” she stated, emphasizing the organization’s dedication to promoting freedom of expression.
Additionally, TBF has extended its outreach beyond Austin, implementing year-round programs such as Reading Rock Stars in El Paso and a new initiative in San Marcos. New partnerships are also on the horizon, including a collaboration with the Gardner Juvenile Justice Center in Austin, aimed at providing literary resources to incarcerated youth.
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www.publishersweekly.com