Kentucky Book Fair Returns to Frankfort Convention Center, Today

By: BWW News Desk Nov. 05, 2016

Now in its 35th year, the Kentucky Book Fair will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, November 5, at the Frankfort Convention Center, 405 Mero Street, Frankfort, Kentucky. The fair is free and open to the public and will feature more than 180 authors and editors showcasing their most recent books, including several writers from University Press of Kentucky (UPK).

This year, the Kentucky Humanities Council has joined forces with the Kentucky Book Fair board to operate the fair. According to former book fair board president Ellen Hellard, the merger will "assure the continuation of this important event in our state." The Kentucky Book Fair attracts thousands of avid readers and patrons from across the country. With selections ranging from children's books and regional cookbooks to wartime histories and poetry collections, the fair has a book for everyone with a passion for reading. For 2016, the Kentucky Book Fair will be part of the Pulitzer Prizes Centennial Campfire Initiative in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Prizes.

Founded in 1981, the Kentucky Book Fair is the state's leading literary event. The Fair is dedicated to honoring the profession of writing and to providing a format for authors to meet their reading public. This year's fair is expected to attract around 4,000 patrons.

University of Press of Kentucky authors participating in the Kentucky Book Fair this year include:

David J. Bettez, author of Kentucky and the Great War and Kentucky Marine;
Roberta Simpson Brown and Lonnie E. Brown, authors of Kentucky Hauntings, among others;
Fenton Johnson, author of The Man Who Loved Birds, among others;
Karen Cotton McDaniel, co-editor of The Kentucky African American Encyclopedia.
William Lynwood Montell, author of Tales of Kentucky Ghosts, among many others.
Mike Norris and Minnie Adkins, author and illustrator of Mommy Goose: Rhymes from the Mountains, among others;
William A. Penn, author of Kentucky Rebel Town: The Civil War Battles of Cynthiana and Harrison County;
Joy Perrine, co-author of More Kentucky Bourbon Cocktails;
Susan Reigler, author of Kentucky Bourbon Country, 2nd Edition and co-author of More Kentucky Bourbon Cocktails, among others;
Deirdre Scaggs, co-author of The Historic Kentucky Kitchen: Traditional Recipes for Today's Cook;
Albert W.A. Schmid, author of The Manhattan Cocktail, among others;
Diane Schneider; editor of Stoner's Boy and The Gray Ghost, both Seckatary Hawkins Mysteries;
Maryjean Wall, author of Madam Belle: Sex, Money, and Influence in a Southern Brothel, among others;
Allan Weiss; introduction writer of Kentucky by Design: The Decorative Arts and American Culture;
Crystal Wilkinson, author of The Birds of Opulence; and
Edmund Zimmerer, co-author of Amphibians and Reptiles of Land Between the Lakes.

In addition, several UPK authors will participate in presentations, readings, and other events at the book fair. On the main stage at 9:30 am, Mike Norris and Minnie Adkins will present a "Story Time" for children based on their new book Mommy Goose. At 10:00 am in the Kentucky River/Cumberland River Rooms, a panel discussion on "Food and Southern Identity" will feature UPK authors Maggie Green, Susan Reigler, and Deirdre Scaggs along with Christy Jordan and Ronni Lundy. At 1:00 pm, the same room will host the "Affrilachian Poets 25th Anniversary Reading" featuring the work of UPK authors Frank X Walker and Crystal Wilkinson among others. In addition, a 1:00 pm panel discussion in the North Hall will showcase UPK authors David J. Bettez and William A. Penn, along with Christopher Phillips, talking about "War in Kentucky."

The Kentucky Book Fair actually kicks off on Friday, November 4th with KBF Kids Day. More than 500 3rd through 8th grade students from across the state will meet nearly fifty authors and participate in presentations by several of them. New to Kids Day this year, more than 300 high school students will participate in a "Master Class" presented by Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Maria Henson.

For a full listing of authors participating in the Kentucky Book Fair as well as on-site events, visit kyhumanities.org/kentuckybookfair.html.