Press Room

2011 Brooklyn Book Festival Press Coverage

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 23:23:00 GMT

LA Times: Book review: 'Literary Brooklyn'
The New Yorker: At the Brooklyn Book Festival, the Unending Pleasures of Reading
The New York Times: Brooklyn Becomes Book Country Again
The Guardian: Brooklyn book festival's independent example
The Wall Street Journal: Brooklyn Welcomes a City Full of Readers

BROOKLYN BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARTY MARKOWITZ, AT&T ANNOUNCE TOP THREE AUTHORS IN BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL’S “AT&T FAN FAVE CONTEST”

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:54:00 GMT

September 29, 2011

BROOKLYN BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARTY MARKOWITZ, AT&T ANNOUNCE TOP THREE AUTHORS IN BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL’S “AT&T FAN FAVE CONTEST”

Kate Beaton, Alan Heathcock and Alia Malek receive cash prizes for charities of their choice

On Thursday, September 29, 2011, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, AT&T and the Brooklyn Book Festival announced that authors Kate Beaton, Alan Heathcock and Alia Malek were the top three vote-getters in the first ever “AT&T Fan Fave Contest” as part of the 2011 Brooklyn Book Festival. AT&T was a proud sponsor of the Book Festival, which drew more than 35,000 book lovers from September 15 – 18. The recipients’ cash prizes will be donated to the literary or literacy charities of their choosing.

First place winner Beaton was presented with a $3,500 check from BP Markowitz at Brooklyn Borough Hall, and was joined by her selected charity, 826NYC, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit literary organization for young writers represented by Joan Kim, and Twanda Washington of AT&T. The Cabin in Boise, Idaho is the beneficiary of the $2,500 second place prize won by Heathcock; Malek’s $1,500 third place prize will be donated to Voice of Witness.

The Brooklyn Book Festival is an initiative of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz presented by Brooklyn Tourism and the Brooklyn Literary Council. It presents an array of literary stars and emerging authors representing the exciting world of literature today. One of America’s premier book festivals, this hip, smart, diverse gathering attracts thousands of book lovers of all ages.

For more information on the Brooklyn Book Festival, visit www.brooklynbookfestival.org or follow the Festival on Twitter @bkbf and Facebook.

Photo by Kathryn Kirk

In photo (left to right): Twanda Washington of AT&T; First place winner Kate Beaton; Joan Kim of 826NYC; Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz

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CONTACT: Mark Zustovich, 718-802-3830; mzustovich@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

SIXTH ANNUAL BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL: FOUR DAYS OF BOOK BLISS FOR LITERARY LOVERS

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:50:00 GMT

Visit www.brooklynbookfestival.org, Twitter @bkbf or Facebook for updates

For photos, www.flickr.com/photos/brooklynbookfestival09/

Photos from 2011 event will be available after 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, September 19

September 18, 2011

SIXTH ANNUAL BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL: FOUR DAYS OF BOOK BLISS FOR LITERARY LOVERS

Larry McMurtry, Terry McMillan, Jennifer Egan, Eoin Colfer, John Sayles, Joyce Carol Oates, Craig Thompson, Walter Mosley, Adrian Tomine, Amitav Ghosh, Jean Valentine, Jules Feiffer, Senator Joseph Lieberman, Pete Hamill, Rachel Hawkins, Jon Scieszka and
Jacqueline Woodson among record 260+ authors and panelists

On Sunday, September 18, 2011, the sixth annual Brooklyn Book Festival, one of the nation’s top free literary events, attracted thousands of bibliophiles to Downtown Brooklyn, joining more than 260 top national and international authors, literary organizations and booksellers at Brooklyn Borough Hall, Columbus Park, St. Francis College, St. Ann’s Church and the Brooklyn Historical Society. The Target Children’s Area and the Youth Stoop kept the younger set busy, and 30 expanded “Bookend” literary-themed events took place in venues from clubs to bookstores and theaters to libraries across the borough September 15 – 18. For a complete list of authors, panels and events at the Festival, visit www.brooklynbookfestival.org.

The Brooklyn Book Festival is an initiative of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz presented by Brooklyn Tourism and the Brooklyn Literary Council. It presents an array of literary stars and emerging authors representing the exciting world of literature today. One of America’s premier book festivals, this hip, smart, diverse gathering attracts thousands of book lovers of all ages.

“As the ‘Creative Capital of New York City,’ Brooklyn is the perfect host for one of the world’s most prestigious free literary festivals, and that’s why I officially re-named our borough ‘Book-lyn’ for the four days of incredible Bookend events this year—from BAM and the Brooklyn Public Library to Brooklyn Bowl and the Bushwick Book Club—all celebrating the character and characters of our diverse literary community. Whether you’re a voracious reader or someone who just likes to pick up the occasional ‘good read,’ make sure you ‘book it’ for the 2012 Brooklyn Book Festival next fall.”

“Now in its sixth amazing year, the Brooklyn Book Festival is, without question, one of the premier literary destinations in the world,” said Johnny Temple, chair of the Brooklyn Literary Council. “From our award-winning authors to our publishers big and small, from musicians and comedians to humorists and graphic novelists, the Brooklyn Book Festival represents our growing literary universe—and this year’s expanded four days of events was our biggest and best celebration yet.”

This year’s expansion to four days included “Bookend” events at diverse venues throughout the borough, including BAM, BookCourt, Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Winery, DUMBO Arts Center, Floyd Bennett Field, Galapagos Arts Space, Greenlight Book Store, ISSUE Project Room, MoCADA, powerHouse Arena, St. Ann’s Warehouse and The Tobacco Warehouse.

On Saturday, September 17, The Brooklyn Book Festival “Best of Brooklyn” or BoBi Award for outstanding contributions to literature was presented at The Green Building in Carroll Gardens to Pulitzer Prize recipient Jhumpa Lahiri. Lahiri also holds the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award, a PEN/Hemingway Award, an O. Henry Prize, and the Addison Metcalf Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters (among others). In 2010 she was appointed as a member of President Barack Obama’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Previous recipients of the BoBi Award, established in the Festival’s second year, are John Ashbery (2010), Edwidge Danticat (2009), Walter Mosley (2008) and Paul Auster (2007).

Four of the six 2011 Brooklyn-based Pulitzer Price recipients were also in attendance at the Festival. In addition to Jennifer Egan, the trio of Jesse Eisinger, Clifford Levy and Jake Bernstein participated in a panel discussion on Brooklyn’s prominence in the Pulitzer competition.

Major partners include St. Francis College and NYC Department of Parks & Recreation. Major sponsors are AT&T and Target, with additional support from Astoria Federal Savings, Boarshead Brand, Brooklyn Community Foundation, Citi, Con Edison, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, NYC & Company Foundation, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and New York State Council on the Arts. The New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge is the official hotel. Media Partners include ABC, The New York Times and Time Out New York/Time Out New York Kids.

Cultural and programming partners are BAM, Brooklyn Historical Society, Brooklyn Public Library, Cave Canem, The Center for Fiction, Housing Works Bookstore Café, The Nation, the National Book Foundation, The New York Review of Books, PEN American Center, Poetry Society of America and St. Francis College.

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CONTACTS: Mark Zustovich, 718-802-3830; mzustovich@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

Jon Paul Lupo, 718-802-3831; jplupo@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

ACCLAIMED PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR JHUMPA LAHIRI HONORED AT SIXTH ANNUAL BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:16:00 GMT

September 18, 2011

ACCLAIMED PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR JHUMPA LAHIRI HONORED AT SIXTH ANNUAL BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL

Brooklyn resident is recipient of annual Brooklyn Book Festival “BoBi” Award;

Appears in conversation with book critic Liesl Schillinger

On Sunday, September 18, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, the Brooklyn Literary Council and Brooklyn Tourism hosted the sixth annual Brooklyn Book Festival. Each year, the Brooklyn Book Festival “BoBi” Award is given to an author who has had a broad impact on the field of literature. This year’s recipient is Jhumpa Lahiri, who was celebrated at the Brooklyn Book Festival Gala Mingle on Saturday, September 17, hosted by the Green Building in Carroll Gardens. Lahiri also participated in this year’s Festival program, in a conversation with book critic Liesl Schillinger at St. Ann and Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn Heights.

“Reading matters in Brooklyn—and writers thrive,” said Lahiri, who calls Brooklyn home. “The Brooklyn Book Festival embraces and celebrates this unique cultural energy.”

Jhumpa Lahiri was born in London and raised in Rhode Island. Her debut collection of stories, Interpreter of Maladies, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, the PEN/Hemingway Award and The New Yorker Debut of the Year. Her novel The Namesake was a New York Times Notable Book, a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist and was selected as one of the best books of the year by USA Today and Entertainment Weekly, among other publications. Lahiri’s most recent book of short stories, entitled Unaccustomed Earth, received the 2008 Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award (the world’s largest prize for a short story collection) and was a finalist for the Story Prize.

The BoBi Award was established in the Festival’s second year, with previous recipients including John Ashbery (2010), Edwidge Danticat (2009), Walter Mosley (2008) and Paul Auster (2007).

The Brooklyn Book Festival is an initiative of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
presented by Brooklyn Tourism and the Brooklyn Literary Council. It presents an array of literary stars
and emerging authors representing the exciting world of literature today. One of America’s premier book festivals, this hip, smart, diverse gathering attracts thousands of book lovers of all ages.

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CONTACTS: Mark Zustovich, 718-802-3830; mzustovich@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

Jon Paul Lupo, 718-802-3831; jplupo@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

2011 Brooklyn Book Festival Promotional Video

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 20:55:00 GMT

EVENTS, AUTHOR LINEUPS RELEASED FOR 2011 BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL: A RECORD 260+ AUTHORS AND PARTICIPANTS, MORE THAN 100 PANELS CONFIRMED FOR SEPTEMBER 18

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:00:00 GMT

Visit www.brooklynbookfestival.org, Twitter @bkbf or Facebook for updates

For photos, www.flickr.com/photos/brooklynbookfestival09/

September 6, 2011

EVENTS, AUTHOR LINEUPS RELEASED FOR 2011 BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL:
A RECORD 260+ AUTHORS AND PARTICIPANTS, MORE THAN 100 PANELS CONFIRMED FOR SEPTEMBER 18

Larry McMurtry, Terry McMillan, Jennifer Egan, Eoin Colfer, John Sayles, Joyce Carol Oates, Craig Thompson, Walter Mosley, Adrian Tomine, Amitav Ghosh,

Jean Valentine, Jules Feiffer, Rachel Hawkins, Jon Scieszka and Jacqueline Woodson to headline Festival

2011 Brooklyn-based Pulitzer Prize recipients Jennifer Egan, Jesse Eisinger, Clifford Levy and Jake Bernstein to attend

On Sunday, September 18, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., a record 260+ top national and international authors and participants will join literary organizations, booksellers and bibliophiles at Brooklyn Borough Hall (209 Joralemon Street), Columbus Park, St. Francis College, St. Ann’s Church and the Brooklyn Historical Society for the sixth annual Brooklyn Book Festival. Additionally, 30 expanded “Bookend” literary-themed events will take place in venues from clubs to bookstores and theaters to libraries across the borough September 15 – 18. All events are free, but some are ticketed admission. Free tickets will be given out one hour before the scheduled program at Festival information booths on Borough Hall Plaza. The complete author and events listings are now available at www.brooklynbookfestival.org.

The Brooklyn Book Festival “Best of Brooklyn” or BoBi Award for outstanding contributions to literature will be presented this year to Pulitzer Prize recipient Jhumpa Lahiri. She also holds the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award, a PEN/Hemingway Award, an O. Henry Prize, and the Addison Metcalf Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters (among others). In 2010 Lahiri was appointed as a member of President Barack Obama’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Lahiri will be in conversation with book critic Liesl Schillinger at 2:00 p.m. at St. Ann’s Church on Sunday, September 18.

This year’s panel discussions include:

Unholy Paths to Redemption. Pulitzer Prize winning author Jennifer Egan (A Visit from the Goon Squad), James Hannaham (God Says No) and John Burnham Schwartz (Northwest Corner) look at the alternative routes their characters take to lose themselves—jeopardizing work, family and love—to find themselves again.

Brooklyn Book Festival Presents: Gumshoes . Award winning authors Eoin Colfer (Plugged), Walter Mosley (When the Thrill Is Gone). Moderated by David L. Ulin (Los Angeles Times).

Defining the Moment, USA 2011: Where are We? Writers Deborah Eisenberg, Fran Lebowitz and Wallace Shawn discuss the difficulties in figuring out what exactly this moment is, why people are feeling enormous anxiety and why that anxiety is poorly understood.

Politically Incorrect Parenting . Adam Mansbach (author of Go the F**k to Sleep), Ta-Nehisi Coates and Alice Bradley confront the subject of what constitutes acceptable parenting when you just want the kids to go the *bleep* to sleep.

Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana in Conversation . McMurtry and Ossana, winners of the Academy Award for their screenplay of Brokeback Mountain, discuss writing, moviemaking and more.

The Sweep of History, the Cycle of Novels . A rare and intimate conversation between two masters of world literature: Amitav Ghosh, whose new work, River of Smoke, continues the Opium War–era saga of Sea of Poppies; and Nuruddin Farah, whose latest novel, Crossbones, completes the trilogy of modern Somalia begun with Links and Knots. Moderated by Andy Tepper.

Comics Writ Large and Small . Craig Thompson, Anders Nilsen and Adrian Tomine discuss the craft and artistry of long and short graphic stories.

Poet Laureates Past and Present . Poet Laureates Tina Chang (Brooklyn Poet Laureate), Justin Long-Moton, Mark Strand and Jean Valentine read from their work.

Notable authors and participants ( www.brooklynbookfestival.org for author lineup updates):

Non-Fiction

Kurt Andersen, Brooke Gladstone, Phillip Lopate, Sigrid Nunez, Christian Parenti, Jennifer Pozner, David Rakoff, Jeremy Scahill, Touré

Fiction (Domestic and International)

Russell Banks, Lawrence Block, Nuruddin Farah, Jonathan Safran Foer, Diana Gabaldon, Pete Hamill, A.M. Homes, Nicole Krauss, Téa Obreht, Karen Russell, Colson Whitehead

Poetry

Mary Jo Bang, Timothy Donnelly, Paul Strand

Children

Caldecott winner Bryan Collier, Sam McBratney, Jules Feiffer, Norton Juster, Yuyi Morales, Mo Willems

Youth

Judy Blundell (National Book Award winner), Kate Brian (NYT bestseller), Cory Doctorow (NYT bestseller),

“Whether you’re a voracious reader or someone who just likes to pick up the occasional ‘good read,’ make sure you ‘book it’ for our Brooklyn Book Festival this fall,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “As the ‘Creative Capital of New York City,’ Brooklyn is the perfect host for one of the world’s most prestigious free literary festivals, and that’s why I officially re-name our borough ‘Book-lyn’ not just for the Festival on September 18, but for the four days of incredible Bookend events this year—from BAM and the Brooklyn Public Library to Brooklyn Bowl and the Bushwick Book Club—all celebrating the character and characters of our diverse literary community.”

The 2011 Brooklyn Book Festival is presented by Brooklyn Tourism and the Brooklyn Literary Council, initiatives of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. Major partners include St. Francis College and NYC Department of Parks & Recreation. Major sponsors include AT&T and Target, with additional support from Astoria Federal Savings, Boarshead Brand, Brooklyn Community Foundation, Citi, Con Edison, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, NYC & Company Foundation, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and New York State Council on the Arts. The New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge is the official hotel. Media Partners include ABC, The New York Times and Time Out New York/Time Out New York Kids.

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CONTACTS: Mark Zustovich, 718-802-3830; mzustovich@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

Jon Paul Lupo, 718-802-3831; jplupo@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

2011 BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL: LESS THAN A MONTH TO GO! MORE THAN 220 AUTHORS CONFIRMED FOR FESTIVAL ON 9/18

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 17:00:00 GMT

LESS THAN A MONTH TO GO! MORE THAN 220 AUTHORS CONFIRMED FOR BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL ON 9/18

Larry McMurtry, Terry McMillan, Eoin Colfer, John Sayles, Joyce Carol Oates, Craig Thompson, Walter Mosley, Adrian Tomine, Amitav Ghosh,

Jean Valentine, Jules Feiffer, Rachel Hawkins, Jon Scieszka and Jacqueline Woodson to headline Festival

2011 Brooklyn-based Pulitzer Prize recipients Jennifer Egan, Jesse Eisinger, Clifford Levy and Jake Bernstein to attend; panel to discuss Brooklyn’s prominence in Pulitzer competition

On Sunday, September 18, 2011, more than 220 top national and international authors will join literary organizations, booksellers and bibliophiles at Brooklyn Borough Hall, Columbus Park, St. Francis College and the Brooklyn Historical Society for the sixth annual Brooklyn Book Festival. Additionally, 30 expanded “Bookend” literary-themed events will take place in venues from clubs to bookstores and theaters to libraries across the borough September 15 – 18.

Notable authors and participants (www.brooklynbookfestival.org for author lineup updates):

Non-Fiction

Kurt Andersen, Brooke Gladstone, Phillip Lopate, Sigrid Nunez, Christian Parenti, Jennifer Pozner, David Rakoff, Jeremy Scahill, Adrian Tomine, Touré

Fiction (Domestic and International)

Russell Banks, Lawrence Block, Eoin Colfer, Jennifer Egan, Nuruddin Farah, Jonathan Safran Foer, Diana Gabaldon, Amitav Ghosh, Pete Hamill, A.M. Homes, Nicole Krauss, Terry McMillan, Larry McMurtry, Walter Mosley, Joyce Carol Oates, Téa Obreht, Karen Russell, John Sayles, Craig Thompson, Colson Whitehead

Poetry

Mary Jo Bang, Timothy Donnelly, Jean Valentine

Children

Caldecott winner Bryan Collier, Sam McBratney, Jules Feiffer, Norton Juster, Sam McBratney, Mo Willems (NYT bestseller)

Youth

Judy Blundell (National Book Award winner), Kate Brian (NYT bestseller), Cory Doctorow (NYT bestseller), Rachel Hawkins (NYT bestseller), Jon Scieszka (former Ambassador for Young People’s Literature), Jacqueline Woodson

This year’s panel discussions include:

Defining the Moment, USA 2011: Where are We? Writers Deborah Eisenberg, Fran Lebowitz and Wallace Shawn discuss the difficulties in figuring out what exactly this moment is, why people are feeling enormous anxiety and why that anxiety is poorly understood.

Politically Incorrect Parenting. Adam Mansbach (author of Go the F**k to Sleep), Ta-Nehisi Coates and Alice Bradley confront the subject of what constitutes acceptable parenting when you just want the kids to go the *bleep* to sleep.

Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana in Conversation. McMurtry and Ossana, winners of the Academy Award for their screenplay of Brokeback Mountain, discuss writing, moviemaking and more.

Comics Writ Large and Small. Craig Thompson, Anders Nilsen and Adrian Tomine discuss the craft and artistry of long and short graphic stories.

Poet Laureates Past and Present. Poet Laureates Tina Chang (Brooklyn Poet Laureate), Justin Long-Moton, Mark Strand and Jean Valentine read from their work.

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CONTACTS: Mark Zustovich, 718-802-3830; mzustovich@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

Jon Paul Lupo, 718-802-3831; jplupo@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

MORE THAN 100 AUTHORS—SO FAR!—SIGN ON FOR SIXTH ANNUAL BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL ON 9/18

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:07:00 GMT

Larry McMurtry, Terry McMillan, Jennifer Egan, Eoin Colfer, Amy Chua, John Sayles, Joyce Carol Oates, Craig Thompson, Walter Mosley and Rachel Hawkins to headline Festival

Book Festival Pulitzer Prize panel will include 2011 Brooklyn-based recipients Jennifer Egan, Jesse Eisinger and Jake Bernstein

For information, photos, badges and more, visit www.brooklynbookfestival.org

Also follow Festival on Facebook and Twitter @bkbf

On Wednesday, June 15, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, the Brooklyn Literary Council, top authors, publishing industry leaders, editors and literary insiders gathered at Brooklyn Borough Hall to announce more than a hundred of the renowned national and international authors confirmed to date to participate in the sixth annual Brooklyn Book Festival, which will take place this fall, Sunday, September 18, 2011, in and around Borough Hall and Columbus Park. “Bookend” literary-themed events also return this year, with venues in clubs, parks, bookstores, theaters and libraries across the borough from September 15 – 18.

The Brooklyn Book Festival is the largest free literary event in New York City presenting an array of literary stars and emerging authors who represent the exciting world of literature today. One of America’s premier book festivals, this hip, smart, diverse gathering attracts thousands of book lovers of all ages. Despite inclement weather last year, more than 20,000 visitors and media from around the world converged on Borough Hall. The Festival is organized around themed readings and is devoted to timely and lively panel discussions. The inclusion of top national and international authors and new partners has expanded the Festival’s reach while continuing to celebrate and enhance Brooklyn’s contemporary and historic literary reputation.

Notable authors and participants (visit www.brooklynbookfestival.org for updates on author lineup):

Non-Fiction

Kurt Andersen, Amy Chua, Brooke Gladstone, John Hodgman, Phillip Lopate, Sigrid Nunez, Christian Parenti, Jennifer Pozner, David Rakoff, Jeremy Scahill, Adrian Tomine, Touré, Katrina vanden Heuvel

Fiction (Domestic and International)

Dorothy Allison, Russell Banks, Eoin Colfer, Jennifer Egan, Nuruddin Farah, Jonathan Safran Foer, Diana Gabaldon, Amitav Ghosh, Jessica Hagedorn, Pete Hamill, A.M. Homes, Nicole Krauss, Jhumpa Lahiri, Terry McMillan, Larry McMurtry, Walter Mosley, Joyce Carol Oates, Téa Obreht, Karen Russell, John Sayles, Craig Thompson, Colson Whitehead

Poetry

Mary Jo Bang, Timothy Donnelly, Jean Valentine

Children

Bryan Collier, Sam McBratney, Mo Willems

Youth

Judy Blundell, Kate Brian, Cory Doctorow, T.R. Simon and Victoria Bond, Rachel Hawkins, Jon Scieszka, Rita Williams-Garcia, Jacqueline Woodson

The 2011 Brooklyn Book Festival will also host a panel featuring this year’s Pulitzer Prize recipients from Brooklyn, with Jennifer Egan, Jesse Eisinger and Jake Bernstein confirmed to attend. Six of the 29 Pulitzer Prize winners hail from Brooklyn, the others being Bruce Norris, Clifford J. Levy and Ron Chernow.

“Whether you’re a voracious reader or someone who just likes to pick up the occasional ‘good read,’ make sure you ‘book it’ for our Brooklyn Book Festival this fall,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “As the ‘Creative Capital of New York City,’ Brooklyn is the perfect host for one of the world’s most prestigious free literary festivals, and that’s why I officially re-name our borough ‘Book-lyn’ not just for the Festival on Sunday, September 18, but for the four days of incredible events this year celebrating the character—and characters—of our diverse literary community.”

BP Markowitz also announced a new Brooklyn Book Festival sponsor, AT&T. “AT&T is committed to supporting cultural events like the Brooklyn Book Festival that showcase how this borough has become the pulse of the city’s arts and literature community,” said AT&T New York President Hal Lenox. “We are also committed to providing the best mobile experience for our customers in Brooklyn and throughout New York City. That’s why we have made significant network investments in the borough of Brooklyn and are currently upgrading our wireless voice and data service.”

This year’s Brooklyn Book Festival will again feature outdoor stages in Borough Hall Plaza as well as venues inside historic Borough Hall, St. Francis College and the Brooklyn Historical Society. Programming will include panels and readings on an outdoor main stage facing Borough Hall’s historic marble steps. New this year will be an expanded children’s area with authors, workshops, stroller parking and food, and the Festival will also feature special programming for teens and exhibitors that will include bookstores, publishers and literary organizations.

From September 15 – 18, “Bookend” events will be held throughout the borough. Bookend sites confirmed to date include BAM, Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Public Library, Bushwick Book Club, Center for Black Literature, Greenlight Bookstore, Invisible Dog Art Center and Third Ward, among others. Complete programming and events will be announced over the coming weeks.

The 2011 Brooklyn Book Festival is presented by Brooklyn Tourism and the Brooklyn Literary Council, initiatives of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. Sponsors include Astoria Federal Savings, AT&T, Boar’s Head Provisions, Brooklyn Community Foundation, Citi, NYC & Company Foundation, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge (official hotel), The New York Times, St. Francis College, Target and Time Out New York/Time Out New York Kids.

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CONTACTS:

Mark Zustovich, 718-802-3830; mzustovich@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

Jon Paul Lupo, 718-802-3831; jplupo@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

BBF Home

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:07:00 GMT

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NYC’S BEST LITERARY FESTIVAL HAPPENS IN BROOKLYN! BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:30:00 GMT

200 Authors, 175 Vendors, 13 Venues, Expanded “Bookend” Events all Weekend 9/10-9/12!
Renowned Poet John Ashbery to receive annual “BoBi” Award

Now in its fifth year, the Brooklyn Book Festival is one of the top book festivals in the country. With the extraordinary literary heritage, vibrant publishing community and international reading audience of Brooklyn and New York City as its backdrop, the Festival offers the best and brightest stars in contemporary literature. The hip, huge and free all-star literary lineup includes Salman Rushdie, Naomi Klein, Paul Auster, Venus Williams, Nelson George, Sarah Silverman, Gary Shteyngart, Mary Gaitskill, John Ashbery, Rosanne Cash, Paul Krugman, Colson Whitehead, Francine Prose, Dennis Lehane, Per Petterson, Esmeralda Santiago, Pete Hamill, Jennifer Egan, Russell Banks, Michael Connelly, John Hodgman, Kristen Schaal, Sam Lipsyte, Sloane Crosley, Maaza Mengiste, Paul Harding, Amy Goodman, Marlon James, Sarah MacLean, Jean Valentine, Elizabeth Nunez and many more, as well as children’s and young adult lit stars like Rebecca Stead, Sara Shepard, Jacqueline Woodson, Jon Scieszka, Jenny Han, Nina Crews, Mac Barnett, Tad Hills, Chris Raschka, Michael Rex, Matthew Reinhart and Francisco X. Stork.

At the Brooklyn Book Festival, you can see Salman Rushdie and young novelist Tishani Doshi discuss Pakistani/Indian literature and culture. Hear what Paul Krugman has to say about the economy. Get a peek into the masterminds of modern crime fiction Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane and Alafair Burke, meditate on the insights of yoga-convert and humorist Neal Pollack, get cooking tips from the founders of Frankies Sputino and hear Sarah Silverman, John Hodgman and Kristen Schaal opine on life and comedy. See full list of programs below.

The Brooklyn Book Festival showcases more than 200 national and international authors in readings and panel discussions as well as 175 booksellers, publishers, presses and organizations in an outdoor literary marketplace. Brooklyn Book Festival is presented by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, the Brooklyn Literary Council and Brooklyn Tourism.

“As the creative epicenter of New York, Brooklyn is already home to many of the world’s greatest writers, and now we’ve got a festival that gathers together the rest of the best from across the nation and around the world,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

FESTIVAL EXPANDS WITH NEW “BOOKEND” EVENTS ALL WEEKEND!

This year’s expansion includes weekend-long “Bookend” events at the coolest venues in Brooklyn, including BAM, Bell House, Brooklyn Bridge Park, The Brooklyn Kitchen, Brooklyn Public Library, Debut Lit, Freebird Books & Goods, Greenlight Bookstore, Irondale Center, Light Industry, Littlefield, Mainspring Collective, PEN American Center, Pizza D’Amore, powerHouse, St. Ann’s Warehouse, WORD and more!

Hear Russell Banks discuss books and film at BAM, dance as Rob Sheffield spins ’80s music at Bell House, hang with John Waters as he talks about his new book Role Models at WORD in Greenpoint. Check out the rest of the great weekend Bookend events—see list of Bookend events below.

RENOWNED POET JOHN ASHBERY WILL ACCEPT BEST OF BROOKLYN “BoBi” AWARD

On Saturday, September 11, at the Festival Gala, the Brooklyn Book Festival “BoBi” award, given each year to an author whose body of work exemplifies or speaks to the spirit of Brooklyn, will go to the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet John Ashbery. Ashbery’s ties to Brooklyn and New York run deep. He once worked as a librarian at the Brooklyn Public Library, and co-directed the poetry MFA program at Brooklyn College. From 2001 to 2003, he was poet laureate of New York State. The BoBi award was established in the Festival’s second year. Previous BoBi recipients include Edwidge Danticat (2009), Walter Mosley (2008) and Paul Auster (2007).

FIFTH ANNIVERSARY IS THE BIGGEST AND BEST YET!

“When we launched the Festival, it was a modest event keyed to Brooklyn’s status as the home to so many great writers,” said Brooklyn Literary Council Chair Johnny Temple. “But it has grown into a celebration of the international literary scene and New York City’s long-lasting love affair with the writing and reading world.”

FESTIVAL PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

Brooklyn Book Festival sponsors include Astoria Federal Savings; Boar’s Head Provisions; Brooklyn Community Foundation; Citi; Con Edison; Downtown Brooklyn Partnership; NYC & Company Foundation; NYC Department of Parks & Recreation; New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge; New York State Council on the Arts; St. Francis College; Skylight One Hanson; Target; Time Out New York Kids and WABC-TV. Cultural and programming partners are BAM; the Brooklyn Historical Society; Brooklyn Public Library; Cave Canem; Housing Works Bookstore Café; LIVE from the NYPL; The Nation; the National Book Foundation; The New York Review of Books; PEN American Center; Poetry Society of America; and St. Francis College.

With a festival this hip, smart and diverse—Brooklyn is indeed Book-lyn!

Media Contacts:
Please contact Laura Sinagra or Mark Zustovich
lsinagra@brooklynbp.nyc.gov / mzustovich@brooklynbp.nyc.gov / (718) 802-3832
For more information visit www.brooklynbookfestival.org or check out the official Facebook page
On Twitter, follow the Brooklyn Book Festival @BKBF
The Brooklyn Book Festival PressLift page is at http://brooklynbookfestival.presslift.com/brooklynbookfestival

AUTHOR LINEUP (TO DATE) ANNOUNCED FOR FIFTH ANNUAL BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:42:00 GMT

Brooklyn Book Festival is Sunday, September 12, 2010
Introducing new “Bookend Partnership”—hosting themed literary events at Brooklyn clubs, cultural organizations and bookstores September 10 – September 12

For information, photos and more, visit the Brooklyn Book Festival’s PressLift site: http://brooklynbookfestival.presslift.com/brooklynbookfestival

On Wednesday, June 2, the Brooklyn Literary Council, top authors, publishing industry leaders, editors and literary insiders joined the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office to unveil more than a hundred of the renowned national and international authors already confirmed to participate in the fifth annual Brooklyn Book Festival, which will take place this fall, Sunday, September 12, 2010, in and around Borough Hall and Columbus Park.(press release continued below)

In celebration of the Festival’s fifth anniversary, the Brooklyn Book Festival “Bookends” Partnership—made up of cultural institutions and performance venues—will present literary-themed events throughout Brooklyn on Friday, September 10; Saturday, September 11; and the day of the Book Festival on Sunday the 12th. Partners include BAM, Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Brooklyn Public Library, Littlefield, Light Industry/Triple Canopy, the Bell House, Book Court, WORD, Freebird, Greenlight Books, Boulevard Books & Café, PEN American Center and powerHouse Books. Programming and events will be announced in August.

Notable authors scheduled to participate in the 2010 Brooklyn Book Festival include Russell Banks, Michael Connelly, Jennifer Egan, Mary Gaitskill, Paul Harding, Paul Krugman, Dennis Lehane, Jonathan Lethem, Maaza Mengiste, Joyce Carol Oates, Lauren Oliver, Esmeralda Santiago, Jon Scieszka, Rebecca Stead, Colson Whitehead and Jacqueline Woodson.

Click the AUTHORS tab for complete list of confirmed authors to date.

“Like a ‘page turner’ you just can’t put down, Brooklyn is a place of endless fascination and wonder—a place filled with both character and characters,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “These days, when visitors flock to New York in search of the city’s famous arts and culture scenes, they make a beeline for Brooklyn, the ‘Creative Capital of America.’ That’s why it’s a natural location for the world’s most prestigious free literary festival. The Brooklyn Book Festival has become an international literary crossroads—a place where our greatest writers and most avid readers are all on the same page.”

“Over the past five years, the Brooklyn Book Festival has grown into one of the world’s premier literary destinations,” said Johnny Temple, chair of the Brooklyn Literary Council. “The Festival continues to support the diverse literary community, as well as publishers big and small—and our fifth annual gathering on September 12 promises to be the biggest and best yet.”

The 2010 Brooklyn Book Festival follows last year’s hugely successful event, which attracted more than 30,000 visitors and media from around the world to Brooklyn. Media outlets that have covered the Festival include The New York Times, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, New York Daily News, New York Post, Village Voice, Time Out New York, The New Yorker, Publishers Weekly, CSPAN 2’s Book TV and literary, author and publishing blogs around the world.

Each year, the Brooklyn Book Festival “BoBi” Award is presented for outstanding contributions to Brooklyn and the literary community. This year’s recipient will be announced this summer.

The Brooklyn Book Festival will again feature a literary marketplace with more than 150 booksellers, publishers and literary organizations in Borough Hall Plaza as well as “reading rooms” inside historic Borough Hall. Programming will include panels and readings on an outdoor main stage facing Borough Hall’s historic marble steps, a children’s authors stage and special programming for teens. Events will also take place at St. Francis College and the Brooklyn Historical Society. New this year will be a “book club lounge,” where book clubs around Brooklyn can arrange to meet up with their fellow members at the Book Festival.

The 2010 Brooklyn Book Festival is presented by Brooklyn Tourism and the Brooklyn Literary Council, initiatives of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. Sponsors include NYC & Company Foundation; Astoria Federal Savings; Brooklyn Community Foundation; St. Francis College; Citibank; Target; Time Out New York/Time Out New York Kids; New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge (official hotel); WABC-TV (new TV media sponsor); Skylight One Hanson; NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.

Cultural partners are BAM, the Brooklyn Historical Society, St. Francis College and the National Book Foundation. Programming partners include Cave Canem, Housing Works, PEN American Center, Poetry Society of America, The Nation and The New York Review of Books.

For more information about the Brooklyn Book Festival, visitwww.visitbrooklyn.orgor check out the official Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/pages/Brooklyn-Book-Festival-Official-Site/20650359836. On Twitter, follow the Brooklyn Book Festival @bkbf.

Marty’s book fest lineup is released — and it’s Oates of fun

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:43:00 GMT

Brooklyn Paper, June 4, 2010
“Marty’s book fest lineup is released — and it’s Oates of fun” by Meredith Deliso

Joyce Carol Oates, Rosanne Cash, Paul Krugman and Melvin Van Peebles — plus a long list of usual suspects — are the literary luminaries that will fill Borough Hall with their talent at the Brooklyn Book Festival on Sept. 12.
Borough President Markowitz released the lineup for his fifth annual festival on Wednesday night, also doling out drinks and snacks to the borough’s literary types at his “literary mingle.”
Festival participants Leonard Lopate, Colson Whitehead, Rachel Resnick, Arthur Nersesian and Chuck Klosterman were seen making the rounds. Read more.

Joyce Carol Oates, Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Harding bound to show up at Brooklyn book fest

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:43:00 GMT

New York Daily News, June 3, 2010
“Joyce Carol Oates, Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Harding bound to show up at Brooklyn book fest” by Elizabeth Lazarowitz

The borough’s biggest book expo is stretching out and getting comfortable.
Brooklyn’s long been a hot spot for the city’s bookish set. But as the Brooklyn Book Festival heads into its fifth year, the event is drawing top talent from well beyond the borough's borders.
The 2010 lineup includes literary lion Joyce Carol Oates, Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Harding, and best-selling crime writers Dennis Lehane and Michael Connelly. Read more.

Brooklyn Book Festival Lineup Announced

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:44:00 GMT

L Magazine Online, June 3, 2010
“Brooklyn Book Festival Lineup Announced” posted by Jonny Diamond
“Brooklyn as writer's colony” is a long-standing cliche, and like all cliches, has a significant basis in fact: it's true, every second person you meet in this crazy little borough is either finishing a novel, starting a novel, or organizing a reading. So it shouldn't really come as much of a surprise that the Brooklyn Book Festival is set to feature a pretty impressive line-up come September.
Luminaries will include the likes of Joyce Carol Oates, Dennis Lehane, and Michael Connelly, along with local boys like Colson Whitehead and Jonathan Lethem. Read more.

Joyce Carol Oates and Many Others Expected at 2010 Brooklyn Book Festival

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:43:00 GMT

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 3, 2010
“Joyce Carol Oates and Many Others Expected at 2010 Brooklyn Book Festival” by Phoebe Neidl
BOROUGH HALL — Members of the local literary community, including authors, book sellers and publishers, gathered at Borough Hall on Wednesday evening for the “literary mingle,” an annual gathering of the Brooklyn Literary Council, the body responsible for organizing the Brooklyn Book Festival.

Aside from the boozing and schmoozing, the event’s main purpose was to announce which authors are confirmed for this year’s book festival, the fifth annual, scheduled for Sept. 12. Read more.