Kathryn Stockett, Lamar Alexander, Ann Patchett will be at Southern Festival of Books
Kathryn Stockett, recently out with her much-anticipated second novel "Calamity Club" 17 years after her smash debut "The Help," will be among the authors appearing at the 38th annual Southern Festival of Books .
Humanities Tennessee , in partnership with Vanderbilt University , announced the lineup for the free event planned for Oct. 17 and 18 at Bicentennial Mall, the Tennessee State Museum, and the Tennessee State Library and Archives in Nashville.
Former Tennessee Gov. and U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, whose 10th title is the newly published memoir " The Education of a Senator: From JFK to Trump ," will be among the featured writers.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ayad Akhtar, memoirist Belle Burden and poet Claudia Rankine also are among the authors announced, as is Nashville's Ann Patchett . Patchett in May was honored by PEN America, one of the nation's leading literary advocacy groups, at its annual Literary Gala in New York.
The book festival, open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 17, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 18, will feature about 175 authors representing an array of genres including fiction, nonfiction, young adult literature, poetry, science fiction, romance and mystery, organizers announced.
The event will feature panel sessions, discussions, book signings and readings.
"We could not be more thrilled with the authors who will be present throughout the Southern Festival of Books weekend," Humanities Tennessee Executive Director Tim Henderson said in a statement. "Our team works tirelessly all year to build out diverse festival programming that appeals to readers of all ages and interests. The festival is a great opportunity to meet your favorite authors, find your next great read, and connect with fellow readers from across the city and state."
Added C. Cybele Raver, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Vanderbilt University:
"We are delighted to join Humanities Tennessee in welcoming this remarkable group of authors to Nashville for the Southern Festival of Books. The festival reflects the very best of what universities and cultural institutions can accomplish together—creating opportunities for people to engage with new ideas, encounter different perspectives, and connect through a shared love of reading and storytelling. Vanderbilt is proud to support an event that strengthens our community and celebrates the transformative power of books."
Festival highlights will include Student Reader Day on Oct. 16 and the annual Authors in the Round Dinner that evening. Chaired by Libby Page and Alice Campbell Brackenbury, it will be held at Marathon Music Works.
For the full list of authors, schedule and other details, see sofestofbooks.org . Additional authors will be announced during the summer, organizers said.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 38th Annual Southern Festival of Books will be Oct. 17-18
