Decatur Book Festival / A three-day event Aug. 29-31

Decatur Book Festival expanding
Three-day event includes speakers, poetry, parade

By PHIL KLOER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/23/2008

The third annual Decatur Book Festival will expand its schedule again, featuring former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins, a Harry Potter quiz for kids, and authors ranging from Eric Jerome Dickey to football coach Bill Curry.

The festival, which runs Aug. 29-31 at venues scattered throughout Decatur, has its author and event list online at http://www.decaturbookfestival.com.
The festival, which is co-sponsored by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, offers more than 150 authors, live music, cooking events, poetry slams and a parade.

Among the highlights for the 2008 festival, announced Monday in Decatur:

• The world premiere of the first "Madeline" children's book in 50 years, read by author John Bemelmans Marciano, grandson of original author Ludwig Bemelmans.

• A wide range of authors reading and signing their books, including former Nixon White House counsel John Dean, Decatur native Roy Blount Jr., novelists Clyde Edgerton, Jill McCorkle and Lee Smith, pop-up book king Robert Sabuda, and underground comix legend Skip Williamson.

• "How Well Do You Know Harry?," a competitive quiz for children hosted by Cheryl Klein, the continuity editor for the last four Potter books.

• The Escape, a space set aside for teens, with open mic participation and popular young adult authors like Sara Shepard, author of the "Pretty Little Liars" series.

• Local authors, including Karen Abbott, Mary Kay Andrews, Mark Bauerlein, Pearl Cleage, Evelyn Coleman, Hollis Gillespie, Emily Griffin, Patti Callahan Henry, Joshilyn Jackson, Ferrol Sams, Karin Slaughter and Natasha Trethewey.

• A workshop on obituary writing by AJC obit writer Kay Powell.

The 2007 DBF attracted about 60,000 attendees, and several events were so popular that people were unable to get in. Most events are free; some evening musical performances are ticketed.