Literary reunion

The Louisiana Book Festival will return Oct. 27 to the grounds of the state capitol. Authors who have attended the festival previously, many of whom will be featured again this year, shared their thoughts with 225 on what makes the festival great—from taking over the State Capitol building, to Louisiana Center for the Book Director Jim Davis and the festival’s volunteers, to the readers and other writers who turn out on what is always a beautiful fall day in Baton Rouge.

“First off, the Louisiana Book Festival seems to attract the nicest book lovers in the nation. When I was there a few years ago I was amazed at how people took me in as if I were a local.” – George Singleton, whose newest book Stray Decorum, was published in September.

“Easier for me to say how valuable the Book Festival is for our state and community, how it’s a reminder of our heritage in literature and thought. Harder to say how inspiriting it is for me as a writer: Writing is a lonely profession. To be out on a beautiful day, where there is an actual celebration of such work, and to walk about and talk to people from all over the large state who have read some of it – that fills that need for ‘purpose’ we all share. And it’s inspiration enough for another year of bending over a blank page in a room with nobody else in it.” – Ava Haymon, author of three books of poetry, including Why the House is Made of Gingerbread.

“It was such a pleasure to see how well-planned every event I participated in was at the Festival last year. Jim Davis, his amazing staff, and the wonderful volunteers managed everything so beautifully.” – Jim Wilcox, author of several novels, including Modern Baptists.

“I don’t know many better places to talk books, meet with readers, and sit in the sun than the Louisiana Book Festival – and I almost always manage to OD on some shrimps. It has become a part of my writing life that I look forward to, year after year.” – Rick Bragg, author of several books and “The Southern Journal,” published in Southern Living.

“One of the best things about the Louisiana Book Festival is that it’s like a literary family reunion in the biggest and best possible sense. It’s such a joy to see all those writers in the legislative chambers (for once, poets are not ‘the unacknowledged legislators of the world,’ as Shelley said). And it’s wonderful to see whole families enjoying stories and books, visiting the State Library, the State Museum. The only drawback? Too many choices! The real fear? Not enough funding for the future.” – Susan Larson, host of WWNO’s The Reading Life and author of The New Booklover’s Guide to New Orleans, out from LSU Press next fall.

“The audience members’ questions after the presentations help us connect with the people we are writing for. The Capitol building makes us feel that we are part of the state’s history and culture.” – Tim Gauxtreaux, author most recently of The Missing.

“I really enjoyed the honor of speaking from the Senate Chamber, where I was warned by the custodian “no cussing.” Then you know what? The custodian told me that she loved the sound of my book and would buy it. That was the highest accolade of the day.” – James Nolan, whose newest books are the upcoming You Don’t Know Me: Selected Stories and When the Saints, a book of personal essays.

“Jim Davis is a magician. The Louisiana Book Festival is the kind of event that makes a city a better place. I’ve had some of my best literary moments during the festival and look forward to more.” – Jamey Hatley, author of the story “Dream Season” from her novel and the essay “Hating the Blues.”

“The event is really well run, almost exclusively by volunteers, and they do a great job of getting everything and everyone in place on time. They make authors feel that what we do is important and appreciated. I also like the festival’s attention to kids. If kids don’t grow up to be readers, it’s bad for the state, the country, and we’re all out of a job.” – Bill Loehfelm, author of several books, including The Devil She Knows and its sequel The Devil in Her Way, due out in May 2013.

“I have always enjoyed the festival because so many writers from the state and around the nation gather in one place—it’s concentrated, revealing, exciting, and indigenous in every sense of the word. It’s a place to see old friends and hear them tell you stories you never heard before. It’s a joy—my only complaint is that it is so short, I can never go to all the events I want to attend. It is comprehensive, too—all of Louisiana is invited and celebrated.” – Moira Crone, author most recently of The Not Yet.

“Having participated in many book festivals, I can testify in court that the Louisiana Book Festival is one of the finest. That’s why I am eager to be there in October.” – David Madden, whose newest book London Bridge in Plague and Fire was published in September.