Festival of the Book has poets, readings, activities

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Do you have a book sitting on your shelf that you think might be valuable? Are you a teen bursting with creative ideas? Or, are you an aspiring writer looking for like-minded adults to share and critique your writing? Then, the Festival of the Book is where you will want to be Saturday.

The festival at Putnam County Public Library will provide a variety of workshops and activities throughout the day of interest to children, young adults, and adults, in addition to the author events.

Tim Kelley and his wife operated an antiquarian bookshop in Terre Haute for 10 years. Kelly now sells books exclusively on-line--with an on-line stock of about 2,000 books. In his workshop "How to Self-Assess Book Value" Kelley will not offer book appraisals, rather he will provide information on what participants can look for to determine whether a book in their collection is of value--or as a collector what makes a book valuable

Do you own books in need of simple repair? Jamie Knapp from DePauw Library Services, will be available in the outside tent area from 10:45 a.m. until noon to teach simple "Book Repair" techniques.

Children will love to participate in "Sportin' Words" with Joe Heithaus, father, poet, and English professor at DePauw University. Heithaus will lead children in writing a poem about sports that involves observing the smells, sights and sounds of participating in or observing a sport. This hands-on poetry activity is designed for children to experience the joy of poetry.

"Poetry of Place" -- a two-part poetry workshop -- is a brief introduction to creative writing for teens. Eugene Gloria, poet and English professor from DePauw University, will lead participants through short writing exercises that will hopefully trigger a poem as a result. They will also read exceptional writing samples by published poets with the focus on the theme of place--how do we begin writing about where we are from? Participants will focus on writing about home, nature, or imagining place as a character. Session I will involve reading and writing from prompts or suggested topics. The group will continue in Session II with a brief workshop of selected works from the participants. This is a unique and exciting opportunity to learn from a gifted and award-winning poet. Gloria has two published collections of poetry.

Aspiring writers often ask the question of library staff, "Is there a local writing group or how do I go about starting a writing group?" Author Susan Crandall can help answer this question through her workshop, "How to Organize a Writers' Group." Crandall admits, "Unlike so many writers, I did not emerge from the womb with a pen and paper in my hand and a fully formed story in my mind. Instead, I was born with an incredible love for books." Crandall's first book Back Roads--also her first solo published work--won a RITA for Best First Book and two National Reader's Choice Awards. Aspiring writers out there can learn techniques on how to organize and critique from one of the best--and an author who has been there!

Take a break during the Festival and enjoy music provided by the Covered Bridge County Chorus, a women's acapella barbershop chorus, which will perform at 1:30 p.m. Munch on popcorn provided by Headley Hardware and Equipment Rental.

Craft activities will take place all day throughout the Festival for adults and children. Learn to create the art of an "altered book", make a bookmark, or color! There are book-related crafts for everyone.

Everyone loves stories about animals. "Meet the Farm Animals", sponsored by Putnam County Farm Bureau, lets children and adults listen while local celebrities read about farm animals throughout the day

The Friends of the Library book sale will start at 11 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m.

Putnam County holds a wealth of talent in its local authors. A reception to meet and recognize twenty-one of them will be held from 3--5 p.m. Authors who plan to attend include, Phillip Archer, Barbara Bean, Tom Chiarella, James Cooper, John Dittmer, Frank Durham, Vera Farber, Blythe (Wendy) Gifford, Jennifer Herrold, Bobby Hopper, Bette Killion, Jim Mannon, Becky Blue Reagan, Louise Reinecke, Violet Jane Richardson, John Riggs, Mollie Shobe, Jan Bilyeu Swingley, Richard Taylor, Eric Wielenberg, and Lili Wright. Many will have books available for purchase and signing. Refreshments will be served.

Also, the library will kick-off the Putnam County READS Program with its first phase. Residents are asked to submit their idea of a "great" book for all of Putnam County to read. A suggestion box will be available the day of the Festival -- and for the next month at the library. Modeled after other "One City, One Book" programs, PC READS is designed to build community and bring people together over the shared experience of reading and discussing the same book. More detailed information will follow about this program.

Sponsors include Amber Bowers Photogra-phy, Banner Graphic, Bright Futures, Dr. James Elrod Fund, Fine Print Book Store, First National Bank, Friends of the Library, Furniture A-Ware House, Headley Hardware & Equipment Rental, Putnam County Farm Bureau, Victorian Inn & Day Spa, Walden Inn & Conference Center, and Wal-Mart Supercenter.

For details about times and events visit the library webpage at www.putnam.lib.in.us, or call 653-2755.

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