Keynote Event

Join us for the 2011 AJC Decatur Book Festival family-friendly keynote address featuring both Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis, the nationally renowned pair behind a new book of bravery and adventure for families, kids, and adults alike: Wildwood. The address will be on Friday, September 2, 8 p.m., at Agnes Scott College’s Presser Hall. You must have a ticket to get in to this event. Seating will be first-come, first-serve, so we recommend all persons with tickets arrive early. Tickets for the 2011 AJC DBF Keynote Address are sold out as of August 31st.

Wildwood being Colin Meloy’s first novel for children, you may know him better as the lead singer for The Decemberists: a highly celebrated — and uncommonly literary — band that has sold in excess of 1 million records. In January 2011, The Decemberists’ sixth studio album, The King is Dead, was released to widespread acclaim, landing at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.

Colin Meloy has been recognized as much for his musical abilities — his ear for inventive and timeless melodies and his lilting vocals — as he has been for his unmatched lyrical prowess. Crafting each song as a vivid, imaginative story unto itself, he’s become one of the most distinctive and appreciated voices of our time.

Just as essential to Wildwood are the beautiful interior illustrations from Carson Ellis, who first rose to prominence as the artist who created The Decemberists’ album covers and has since collaborated with many accomplished authors including Lemony Snicket on The Composer is Dead and Trenton Lee Stewart on The Mysterious Benedict Society.

Meloy and Ellis will be signing their book immediately after the presentation at the same venue. Books will be available for purchase. Fans who bring a copy of Wildwood to the signing will be allowed to have one additional non-book item per person signed.