For those who love the feel of a book in their hands and enjoy lingering over a beautiful turn of phrase, who celebrate witty written dialogue, descriptions and illustrations that transport the reader to another place—we suggest checking out Fayetteville, Arkansas’s True Lit festival. A town that appreciates great literature and considers its public library sacred space, Fayetteville has long been home to talented writers and creatives, not the least of whom have been influenced by or taught fiction, poetry and literary translation in the acclaimed Creative Writing MFA program at the University of Arkansas.
The 7th annual True Lit Fest spans the week of October 20-27, 2019 at the award-winning Fayetteville Public Library and is designed to highlight authors at events for all ages, as well as provide writing workshops, poetry readings and even illustration classes. For individuals currently producing work or considering becoming an author or illustrator, a significant component of the festival includes guidance for how to engage with literary agents and how get books or other material published.
All events are free, though several do require advance registration. Here’s the rundown of workshops, book signings and activities:
Sunday, Oct. 20
2 p.m. - Melanie Benjamin: Shining a Light on the Past
Monday, Oct. 21
- 11:30 a.m. - Pitch Your Book with Ease to Publishers, Agents and Editors with Marilyn Collins - REGISTER
- 4:30 p.m. - Rich Davis: Young Illustrators Workshop Part 1- REGISTER
Tuesday, Oct. 22
- 4:30 p.m. - Rich Davis: Young Illustrators Workshop Part 2
- 6:00 p.m. - Jarrett Krosoczka Illustrators Workshop REGISTER
- 7:00 p.m. - Jarrett Krosoczka Book Signing
Wednesday, Oct. 23
- 7:00 p.m. - Gene Luen Yang: We Need Diverse Books- REGISTER
Thursday, Oct. 24
- 10:30 a.m. - Matt de la Peña Story Time
- 4:00 p.m. - Elementary After-school Workshop: Be an Author/Illustrator! - REGISTER
- 7:00 p.m. - Alison Hawthorne Deming presented by The Arkansas International
Friday, Oct. 25
- 10:00 a.m. - One-Cup Sunshine, Two-Cups Rain: A Generative Poetry Workshop with Martha Silano - REGISTER
- 11:30 a.m. - Gathering of the Groups
Saturday, Oct. 26
- 10:00 a.m.- Getting Your Book on the Shelf Panel Discussion
- 10:30 a.m. - Bright Star Theatre: Wizard of Oz
- 1:00 p.m. - All About Literary Agents with Kate Hart
- 1:00 p.m. - Publisher and Agent Pitch Sessions
- 2:00 p.m. - Dan and Claudia Zanes Family Music Workshop presented by Walton Arts Center - REGISTER
- 2:00 p.m. - Comics for Teens with Cole Closser (Grades 5–12) - REGISTER
Sunday, Oct. 27
- 1:00 p.m. - Special Collections Presents: The Extra-Illustrated Book
- 1:00 p.m. - Altrusa Writing Contest Award Ceremony
- 2:00 p.m. - “Have You Seen This Man?” Poetry Reading with Bryan Borland
