MAINE—The Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance is thrilled to announce the Maine Lit Fest is back for a second edition. This statewide celebration of literature, creativity, and community, which is happening from October 3rd to October 13th, features a powerhouse lineup of conversations and events that bring together over 50 celebrated and emerging writers, poets, and illustrators from Maine and beyond. More than 20 events will happen over eleven days across multiple Maine towns and cities including Farmington, Portland, Brunswick, Waterville, Bangor, and Presque Isle, and online.
As with the inaugural Maine Lit Fest in 2022, the 2024 edition will appeal to a wide swath of Maine people, and MWPA is partnering with a range of community partners and sponsors across the state including libraries, bookstores, community organizations, local and statewide media, universities, businesses, and more. Maine Lit Fest events are designed not only with the bookish crowd in mind, but people who might not expect themselves to be at a literary festival. Through the work of the writers involved, the Maine Lit Fest will tackle issues and questions from around the world and here in Maine, leaving the thousands of audience members feeling engaged and connected to each other.
Left to right by row: Lynda Barry, John Cariani, Ghassan Zeineddine, and Juliana Lamy; Jason Brown, Steph Cha, Paul Tremblay, and Melissa Febos; Viet Thanh Nguyen, Marjorie Liu, Peter Brown, and Franny Choi. (Submitted photo)
Selected Events (Please visit our website for the entire schedule):
Friday, October 4th
A Conversation with Lynda Barry, Cartoonist & Graphic Novelist
Location: Gordon Center for Performing Arts, Colby College, Waterville
Time: 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Cartooning legend Lynda Barry will speak on the importance of creativity and share insights into her work, including the beloved Ernie Pook’s Comeek. A book signing will follow. Free event with registration. Books available for purchase.
Saturday, October 5th
Short Story Writers on Understandings of Home
Location: West Farmington Grange Hall
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Three acclaimed short story writers, Maine’s Jason Brown, Juliana Lamy, and Ghassan Zeinddine, read from their work and discuss the joys and complexities of writing about specific places and the people, histories, and mysteries that inhabit them. Free event with books available for purchase.
Monday, October 7th
Intimate Geopolitics: Reverberations of War Across Centuries and Continents
Location: Online via Zoom
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
This virtual panel will delve into the lasting impacts of American foreign policies, featuring authors Hala Alyan, Sahar Muradi, Jen Soriano, and Maine Lit Fest Fellow Leila Nadir. Register here for the Zoom link.
Tuesday, October 8th
Thriller Writers on the Art of Suspense and Influences of Stephen King
Location: Penobscot Theater Company, Bangor
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Thriller writers Steph Cha, Mo Drammeh, Paul Tremblay, and Rebecca Turkewitz will discuss the craft of suspense writing and the enduring influence of Stephen King. Free event with registration. Books available for purchase.
Wednesday, October 9th
A Showcase of Black Poets Laureate
Location: SPACE Gallery, Portland & Online via Zoom
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Five Black poets from across the U.S. will read their work and engage in a panel discussion moderated by Maya Williams, former Poet Laureate of Portland. Registration recommended.
Thursday, October 10th
Melissa Febos at Bowdoin College
Location: Massachusetts Hall, Faculty Room, Bowdoin College, Brunswick
Time: 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Join Melissa Febos, best-selling and award-winning author of Girlhood and Body Work, as she reflects on her journey as a writer and queer person who has thought and written deeply about pleasure and pain, about storytelling and the body. Free event with registration.
Saturday, October 12th
Kids Lit Bookfair at the Maine Lit Fest
Location: Portland Public Library
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
A family-friendly event featuring 20+ children’s authors and illustrators, including drag queen storytime, illustrator draw-offs, puppets, and music. Free to attend
An Evening with Viet Thanh Nguyen
Location: John Ford Auditorium, Portland High School
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen will read from his work and discuss his life as a writer, parent, and refugee. Tickets: $10 per person.
Sunday, October 13th
An Afternoon of Poetry in Honor of Deborah Cummins
Location: Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, Falmouth
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Acclaimed poet Franny Choi, with former Maine Poet Laureate Stuart Kestenbaum and current Maine Poet Laureate Julia Bouwsma, will honor the late Deborah Cummins, a poet, essayist, and MWPA Board President with readings of their work. Free event with registration.
About the Maine Lit Fest
The Maine Lit Fest is a biennial event organized by the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance (MWPA), dedicated to celebrating and promoting books, stories, and community across Maine. The festival features a diverse lineup of events, bringing together authors, illustrators, and readers from all over the state and beyond whose work helps us connect, question, and inspire.
For more information and to register for events, please visit the MWPA’s Maine Lit Fest online.
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Publish date : 2024-09-10 23:11:00
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