The Salem Literary Festival, in its third year, announces a line-up of events that goes beyond writing workshops and author readings, although they have those too, in spades.  No worries, the popular SCRABBLE® Tournament is back, and there’s still an opportunity for writers to strut their stuff at an open mic.  But this year’s schedule also features highly creative fare aimed at entertaining and inspiring book lovers, wordsmiths, families and the casual passer-by. On Saturday the 18th, there’s a slew of storytelling to enchant the young and young-at-heart; special tours of the 1820’s jewel The Phillips House, perfect for stirring the imagination of lovers of historical prose; and, the Salem Theatre Company performs monologues culled from the micro-stories in Quick Fiction Magazine.

On Sunday the 19th, the Festival undertakes a day-long, cover-to-cover reading of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD in celebration of this classic’s 50th anniversary; join in as a reader by emailing info@salemlitfest.com.  Try your hand at writing poetry and translating it into beautiful Chinese calligraphy.  Didn’t catch those monologues on Saturday?  They’re back on Sunday!

Salem’s own Brunonia Barry (THE LACE READER, THE MAP OF TRUE PLACES) will kick-off the Festival with a welcome on Friday evening, prior to a reading by headlining author Lily King, whose new novel FATHER OF THE RAIN has received universal accolades and a passel of recognition and prizes.  Brunonia Barry will also open the MOCKINGBIRD marathon as its initial reader.

Other authors scheduled to appear include Steve Almond, Myfanwy Collins, Elyssa East, Brian Evenson, Ethan Gilsdorf, Lynne Griffin, Katherine Howe, Jennifer Jean, Amy MacKinnon, January O’Neil and Doug Stewart.

For more information and a full schedule, go to www.salemlitfest.com.

In case you thought this post was about our very cool To Kill a Mockingbird Marathon, check that out here.

Our aim is to keep all of the events as central to the downtown area as possible, to make it possible for people to get to and attend as many things as possible.  We also work hard to schedule things in a way that similar events don’t conflict.

Rest assured that, as always, there will be something for everyone, and amazingly high-quality somethings, at that.  Nationally best-selling authors, workshops for poets, fiction writers and memoirists, readings and signings, talks, dramatic presentations, storytelling, and some pretty special events!

So, be you professional writer, book enthusiast, or super-mom with toddlers, there’ll be something sure to please.