Registration Now Open for the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Registration Now Open for the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books
PITTSBURGH (March 28, 2023) – The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books announced today that free registration is now open for its second annual community-wide book and literary celebration, planned for Saturday, May 13, 2023, on the campus of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in East Liberty. The Festival, which is free and open to the public, is encouraging registration to secure seats at various literary offerings. Although walk-ins are welcome and expected, space may be limited for popular authors.
The 2023 Festival will be campus-wide at the Seminary, gathering readers, writers, publishers, educators, families – and those in search of a fun and informative weekend activity – to explore Pittsburgh’s rich literary community to meet and hear from over 60 creators, literary organizations, publishers, libraries and others.
"For our second year, we’re excited to highlight a diverse mix of authors and poets – with works ranging from mystery and romance to thriller, history, personal life stories and nonfiction,” said Marshall Cohen, Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books Chairman and Founder. “An outstanding range of poetry will be read all day.”
Some of the featured writers, poets, exhibitors and performances include:
· J.D. Barker, Bram Stoker Award Nominee and international bestselling author of suspense thrillers
· W. Bruce Cameron, bestselling author, columnist and screenwriter, most known for A Dog’s Purpose
· COMICSBURGH, a collective of comic book creators from the Pittsburgh area
· Duolingo, for a hands-on demo of their new app to help promote literacy in children
· Ross Gay, National Book Critics Circle award-winner, poet and essayist, most recently of Inciting Joy
· Kathleen George, author of procedural thrillers set in Pittsburgh including MIRTH
· Stewart O’Nan, award-winning fiction author living in Pittsburgh
· The Heinz History Center, for a history of Kennywood amusement park and of the Heinz family
· Joseph Sassoon, author of The Sassoons: The Great Global Merchants and the Making of an Empire
· Russell Shorto, journalist and author of narrative nonfiction history including Smalltime
· Brendan Slocumb, musician, music teacher and author of Good Morning America’s February 2022 Book Club Pick, The Violin Conspiracy
· Jeannette Walls, #1 New York Times bestselling author, most recently of Hang the Moon
· Mark Whitaker, former Editor of Newsweek, CBS Sunday Morning contributor and author of Smoketown, in conversation with Leon Ford, author of An Unspeakable Hope: Brutality, Forgiveness, and Building a Better Future for My Son
· John Vercher, Edgar Award Nominee and author of After the Lights Go Out
· The full list of authors and poets, as of today, can be found here: pittsburghbookfestival.org/authorspoets.Additional authors and creative participants are expected to join over the next several weeks.
A vibrant literary history
Pittsburgh has a track record of being ranked one of the most literate cities in the United States. The city is also home to about 120 literary organizations and over 250 authors, publishers, opinion leaders, literary event organizers and more. This makes Pittsburgh a big draw for nationally and internationally recognized writers of all genres.
“From those who are learning to read to those who have been reading for years, the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books has become an invaluable piece of Pittsburgh’s culture that offers opportunities for inspiration and knowledge that everyone can benefit from,” said Carmen Anderson, interim vice president of Learning at The Heinz Endowments. “We are happy to support this chance for all to experience the joy of discovery and community that reading can bring.”
Community relationships are at the heart of the Festival, with partnerships spanning local independently owned bookstores including Riverstone Books, Penguin Bookshop, Stories Like Me and Mystery Lovers Bookshop; libraries including Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh Library System; Littsburgh; organizations such as Reading is Fundamental, Heinz History Center, Autumn House Press, University of Pittsburgh Press, Black Lawrence Press and many more. The support for and interest in being a part of the Festival has been extraordinary going into the second year.
“We are honored to continue our support of the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books and what it stands for—a celebration of books, reading and, ultimately, knowledge for all.” said Dr. Kornelia Tancheva, Hillman University Librarian and Director of the University of Pittsburgh Library System.
For the kids: Making reading three-dimensional
Worth noting are the Festival’s planned activities for children and youth, with intentional programming centered around making reading three-dimensional – by exploring themes of books in a tangible way.
Families can check out readings, workshops and Q+A sessions with renowned children’s book writers who will be paired with special guests including the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for a larger-than-life learning experience.
"What we look forward to most about the Festival is providing a space for people all across Western Pennsylvania to gather, learn and engage,” said Andrew Medlar, President and Director of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. “We are proud to be a part of this new annual tradition and to give literacy the growing spotlight it deserves on Pittsburgh’s stage.”
To register for the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books, visit Eventbrite.com. Those interested in volunteering at this year’s Festival can fill out the sign-up form found on the event’s website.
###
ABOUT THE GREATER PITTSBURGH FESTIVAL OF BOOKS:
The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books is a nonprofit initiative committed to nurturing, celebrating and sharing Pittsburgh’s vibrant literary community with the greater region. With a strong emphasis on inclusion and eliminating barriers to literacy, the festival is free for all and includes programming across several genres and age groups. The inaugural festival held in 2022 gathered locally and nationally renowned authors, poets, publishers, bookstores and thousands of registrants and more in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood. Learn more at pittsburghbookfestival.org and follow us on Instagram@pghbookfestand our Facebook page:Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books.
