UPDATE: Saturday Writers treasurer David Lee "Kirk" Kirkland will appear at the Big Read on Saturday. He will be signing copies of his award-winning books at Jennifer's Pharmacy from 11 am till 1 p.m. Not sure if he'll be wearing his kilt, but there's always a good time when Kirk is in the room!If you're looking for a lively event to engage your reading and writing pleasure, this weekend's Big Read has something for book lovers of all ages. Writers, poets, publishers, book sellers, performers, and speakers from metro St. Louis and beyond will appear at the Big Read, which will be located between Forsyth Boulevard and Maryland Avenue in downtown Clayton.
Activities kick off Friday night with two Happy Hours between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., where you can listen to Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz, the Obama's Dog Trainer, talk about her book. Cecily von Zigesar, author of the Gossip Girl series will also be at the happy hour.
On Saturday, Oct 9, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. the main events will be in full swing. Bright and early, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Peter Rabbit, Madeline, and other characters will be in costume to welcome children at the Big Performance Stage. Radio Disney will be on hand, and later in the day the Modern American Dance Company will give a performance of Brandon Moll's Fablehaven. Bestselling children's author Moll will be on hand during the performance and afterwards to sign books. Check the Big Read website for complete schedule.
Also on Saturday, several workshops will be hosted by The Crossings Restaurant on Forsyth Boulevard. Presentaters include representatives from St. Louis Writers' Guild, Missouri Center for the Book, Barnes and Noble, and the St. Louis Publishers Association.
Saturday also includes author tents sponsored by Ralston Purina (Oops, my St. Louis roots are showing. Make that Nestle Purina) and Maryville University.
St. Louis Mystery writers John Lutz and Claire Applewhite will be under the--Okay; I got it right this time-- Nestle Purina tent, where you can also find poetry readings and a chance to pitch book ideas during Pitchapolooza.
Missouri' Poet Laureate David Clewell, St. Louis University professor Richard Bargin, and UMSL's director of the MFA program Mary Troy and others will appear under the Maryville tent.
KETC Channel 9 is the sponsor of the Kids' Author Tent, where several children's and young adult writers will talk about--what else--books. Also in the Kids' Author tent, a panel of librarians will discuss "Books All Children Should Read."
Take a coffee break from 11 a.m. till 11:30 a.m. at Starbucks, where you can listen to St. Louis Post Dispatch columnist Bill McClellan, author of Gently Down the Stream.
Wow! So many events, so little time. What's a book lover to do? Visit the Big Read website to view the complete schedule.
I've been wondering when that would be held! Thanks for all of the great information!!
ReplyDeleteSt. Louis offers so much for writers. Sounds like a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool event! If there weren't already a dozen other things I need to do, I'd be there!
ReplyDeletePat
www.critteralley.blogspot.com
Hi Donna! Thanks for writing about The Big Read! I didn't even know about it until two or three years ago...when I first joined SLWG. I won't be able to make it this year, though, I'm fairly certain. I'm like Pat...too many things!!
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