On Tuesday, June 4, the office of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined the Brooklyn Book Festival, members of the Brooklyn Literary Council and top authors, publishing industry leaders, editors and literary agents to publicly reveal the more than one hundred and forty national and international authors who have already agreed to participate in the eighth annual Brooklyn Book Festival and to welcome back AT&T as its major sponsor. The Festival will take place on Sunday, September 22, 2013 at Borough Hall, and other venues including St. Francis College, Brooklyn Historical Society, St. Ann and the Holy Trinity Church and Columbus Park. For an up-to-date list of confirmed authors, visit www.brooklynbookfestival.org.
Authors Include: Hilton Als, Jonathan Ames, Frank Bidart, Peter Brown, Michael Buckley, Meg Cabot, Edwidge Danticat, Sharon Draper, Jules Feiffer, David Graeber, Pete Hamill, AM Homes, Albert "Prodigy" Johnson, Jamaica Kincaid, Jarrett Krosoczka, Tom Lichtenheld, Sam Lipsyte, Colum McCann, Rutu Modan, Lauren Myracle, Sharon Olds, George Packer, Karen Russell, Sapphire, Jeremy Scahill, Vijay Seshadri, Leanne Shapton, Brenda Shaughnessy, Jeff Smith, Art Spiegelman, Tom Wolfe, Gene Yang, Jane Yolen.
“Brooklyn, or ‘Book-lyn’ is the editorial capital of America and the writer’s capital of the world, all contributing to our growing reputation as our country’s creative hub and the literary center of the universe,” said BP Markowitz. “The Brooklyn Book Festival has an international reach—like Brooklyn, we welcome everyone from everywhere. Bravo to AT&T for continuing their role as major sponsor—with our continuing partnership marking the next ‘page’ in a great ‘chapter’ for the Brooklyn Book Festival. Whether you are interested in children’s books or books for the child-at-heart, poetry or prose, fiction or fact, make sure you ‘book’ September 22 for the 2013 Brooklyn Book Festival.”
“At the Eighth Annual Brooklyn Book Festival, the book stops here,” said Johnny Temple, chair of the Brooklyn Literary Council. “With some of the literary world’s most influential and well-respected literary and cultural minds—including best-selling authors, publishers of all sizes and specializations, musicians such as Prodigy of the classic hip-hop group Mobb Deep, poets, graphic novelists like Art Spiegelman, and anyone who is making an impact with the written word—this event is truly one of a kind. Last year was our biggest year yet, and we plan to be even bigger this year!”
“Following the success of last year’s festival, AT&T is proud to again be the presenting sponsor of this year’s Brooklyn Book Festival, a literary experience that brings together New Yorkers of all ages and from all five boroughs,” said Marissa Shorenstein, President, New York – AT&T. “Taking place just as kids go back to school, this fall event is a great way to remind children that reading can be fun and allow adults to deepen their literary knowledge. We are also excited to re-launch our free app to help festival-goers navigate the many literary events and explore all the festival has to offer."
The Brooklyn Book Festival is the largest free literary event in New York City presenting an array of literary stars and emerging authors who represent the exciting world of literature today. One of America’s premier book festivals, this hip, smart, diverse gathering attracts thousands of book lovers of all ages. More than 40,000 visitors and media from around the world converged on Borough Hall last year. The Festival is organized around themed readings and is devoted to timely and lively panel discussions. The inclusion of top national and international authors and new partners has expanded the Festival’s reach while continuing to celebrate and enhance Brooklyn’s contemporary and historic literary reputation.
This year’s Brooklyn Book Festival will feature a full week of festivities, with yet-to-be announced bookend events being held at clubs, bookstores, parks, theaters, libraries and other venues throughout the borough from September 16-22. The Festival will also again feature outdoor stages in Borough Hall Plaza as well as venues inside historic Borough Hall. Programming will include panels and readings on an outdoor main stage, Target Children’s Area and special programming for teens, and a Literary Marketplace that includes local and national bookstores, publishers and literary organizations.
The Brooklyn Book Festival is an initiative of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and is presented by the Brooklyn Literary Council and Brooklyn Tourism.
For more information about the Brooklyn Book Festival, visit www.brooklynbookfestival.org or check out the official Facebook page and follow the Festival @bkbf.
