More than 120 media members, book lovers, and Decatur Book Festival supporters and board members packed Eddie’s Attic Monday, June 7 for the official launch party of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Decatur Book Festival Presented by DeKalb Medical (AJC DBF). The energy in the room was astounding as guests enjoyed food and drinks while being treated to the exclusive unveiling of this year’s highlights. The fifth annual extravaganza kicks off Friday, September 3 and runs through September 5.
The main highlight of the evening was the greatly anticipated announcement of this year’s keynote speaker, National Book Award Winner Jonathan Franzen. Leading up to the announcement Tom Bell, AJC DBF Program Director, read a passage from Franzen’s new book, Freedom, and presented background information on the author. There were several excited gasps in the room as the crowd figured out whom Bell was teasing.
Bell also announced some of this year’s new activities, programming, and featured authors. The festival is partnering with Atlanta’s Theatrical Outfit to celebrate the company’s original adaptation of John Kennedy Toole’s A Confederacy of Dunces. Events planned with the acting company include a presentation by executive artistic director Tom Key and scenes from the play. Another event premiering this year is SCVNGR, an interactive, location-based game that will lead players through the festival grounds and nearby Decatur hotspots. Prizes will include signed books, t-shirts, posters, and other goodies.
This year’s featured authors include wildly popular author Diana Gabaldon, author of the award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling Outlander novels; Pulitzer Prize winner David Finkle; George Dawes Green, founder of The Moth, a not-for-profit storytelling organization, as well as a Public Radio series carried on WABE, a staunch supporter of the Festival; young adult author Cassandra Clare; adult and young adult author Ridley Pearson; and New York Times bestseller Emily Giffin.
AJC DBF Executive Director Daren Wang then took the stage along with Lenz creative director Scott Sanders and the AJC’s Laura Inman to unveil the 2010 AJC DBF poster. But it didn’t stop there. There was one surprise left – the revealing of Bookzilla’s new monster friend, which was presented by Wang, the AJC’s Will Johnston, and the Theatrical Outfit’s Key. The monster will be named through a naming contest with AJC readers.
The program closed with a live performance by two-time Grammy winner, and multi-talented performer and songwriter, Jim Lauderdale.
“The event was extremely successful,” said Wang. “The Decatur and Atlanta communities have really made this festival their own, and their support is phenomenal.”
The Festival kicks into full gear on Saturday and Sunday, September 4-5, hosting more than 300 authors, and is expected to attract tens of thousands of book lovers to the historic Decatur Square.
Thank Goodness for our Sponsors!
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This is YOUR festival. We are very grateful for our corporate sponsors, but we count on individual donations to ensure that the festival is free to all. If you are looking forward to this year's festival, please consider joining us in building this great tradition! Any contribution you make will help ensure that this is the best AJC DBF ever. Donate now.
The organization behind the festival promotes a year-round literary community by hosting a series of fundraising and literary events. Find out more.
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