Welcome to the Tucson Festival of Books, a weekend for those who love books. This free event is March 13-15, 2009 on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson where the sun shines 350 days a year. Early March normal temperatures are a high of 71 and a low of 44.
Simply perfect!
We’re working to bring you a fascinating weekend filled with interesting people who will make you think. Festival organizers are expecting to showcase 300 authors and 200 exhibitors on 15 different stages and throughout the grassy UA Mall. A children’s area is in the works, too.
You can count on adding at least a couple books to your to-read list.
The festival is year away, but already starting to bloom. A couple dozen authors have already signed on.
If there’s an author you think the committee should pursue, let me know and I’ll pass along your suggestions or e-mail Shannon Cain, shannoncain@cox.net, or Nancy Ledeboer, nancy.ledeboer@pima.gov
We’ll be posting festival news as it develops.
So bookmark tucsonfestivalofbooks.org for your source of festival news, the latest book reviews and the best source in town for book and reading events.
Any ideas about how a private citizen can volunteer to help out?
— Randall H. 03/14/2008 05:51 AM #
Randall: Contact Peggy DeWald, dewaldp@comcast.net, or Cece Derickson, jdericks98@aol.com
The festival is looking for many, many volunteers.
— Debbie Kornmiller 03/14/2008 08:54 AM #
I’m thrilled to read about this new Tucson book festival, but curious as to the emphasis on comparing it to the L.A. festival, when we have an impressive and successful festival right here in the state. I have not seen Flagstaff mentioned in any of the comments on the Tucson Book Festival, but Flagstaff’s festival is ten years old and has attracted very high profile authors to its festival.
— Vera Marie Badertscher 03/16/2008 10:18 AM #
So happy to hear of another Tucson cultural event coming up, even though a year away. Are donated books being accepted? If so, how or whom do we contact to make a donation? Ours are mostly paperbacks but are certainly very readable by someone who might be interested in mysteries, spy and military genre authors.
Looking forward to hearing from someone regarding this matter, and espically watching for what authors may be attending and participating in the Festival.
Ken Irons
— Kenneth Irons 03/17/2008 08:41 AM #
Vera: I’ll pass along your comments to my committee contact. I love the logo of the flaming typewriter that Flagstaff uses.
— Debbie Kornmiller 03/17/2008 10:15 AM #
Kenneth: That’s a good question about donated books. I’ll ask my committee contact. The next meeting isn’t until next month, so I might not have an answer anytime soon.
— Debbie Kornmiller 03/17/2008 10:16 AM #
Hmmm. It seems that the Star used to host a book & author event which was ably led by JC Martin until she was put out to pasture.
How politic to wait a few years and then start it up again.
And with this a year away, the Star no doubt will fill many colmun inches about it.
— D 03/17/2008 02:11 PM #
The Star did indeed hold Book & Author Events for many years under the divine guidance of J.C. Martin. The 17th annual, and last one, was held in 1996.
I am not in charge of the Star’s coverage of the event. However, I would bet that the model that J.C. created will be used.
J.C. writes a monthly book column for the Star. I have asked her for guidance as we create an online model for this new book event.
— Debbie Kornmiller 03/17/2008 02:39 PM #
Please count me in to volunteer.
I too, have many books to donate.
My father authored textbooks and journals. Would these be wanted?
— jody 03/18/2008 12:38 PM #
Jody: Please go to tucsonfestivalofbooks.org and sign up to volunteer. You can also find contact information there on donations.
— Debbie Kornmiller 03/18/2008 03:16 PM #
I was wondering if the following authors would be acceptable for consideration. Janet Evanovich and Laurell K. Hamilton. Both are good writers in very different genders. They are also favorites of mine. I hope to attend the festival in 2009 for the first time.
I would like to have a booth for the event and have sent emails in requesting information. I have not yet heard back. Please contact me. Send an email mdbrodowy@msn.com
The Festival has an incredible array of mystery writers including less known authors like Mike Lawson(The Inside Ring), Judith Van Gieson and Jacqueliine Winspear in addition to Leonard, Jance, McGarrity. How did you get so many to attend a first time festival>
I live in Tucson and have done book signings down by the UofA recently. Would love to be included in the festival. I write dark fantasy and erotic romance. I had signed up to be included in another section of this site back in June, but have not heard anything back. I will email at the mentioned addy for Marcella Lansdowne.
Anastasia: I’ve sent your information on to the book committee. If anyone else is interested or is waiting for a call back. Here’s the contact information. Debbie
The registration deadline for independent authors wishing to participate in the Festival of Books was June 30. Authors can join a waiting list for spaces that may or may not become available. If you are an independent author and would like to be added to the waiting list for the Festival, please email bookfestival@pima.gov.
Any news on a discount at nearby hotels? Hotel rates that time of year aren’t cheap. Since I’m coming in from Phoenix, I’d rather spend the night than commute.
— Randall H. 03/14/2008 05:51 AM #
The festival is looking for many, many volunteers.
— Debbie Kornmiller 03/14/2008 08:54 AM #
— Vera Marie Badertscher 03/16/2008 10:18 AM #
Looking forward to hearing from someone regarding this matter, and espically watching for what authors may be attending and participating in the Festival.
Ken Irons
— Kenneth Irons 03/17/2008 08:41 AM #
— Debbie Kornmiller 03/17/2008 10:15 AM #
— Debbie Kornmiller 03/17/2008 10:16 AM #
How politic to wait a few years and then start it up again.
And with this a year away, the Star no doubt will fill many colmun inches about it.
— D 03/17/2008 02:11 PM #
I am not in charge of the Star’s coverage of the event. However, I would bet that the model that J.C. created will be used.
J.C. writes a monthly book column for the Star. I have asked her for guidance as we create an online model for this new book event.
— Debbie Kornmiller 03/17/2008 02:39 PM #
I too, have many books to donate.
My father authored textbooks and journals. Would these be wanted?
— jody 03/18/2008 12:38 PM #
— Debbie Kornmiller 03/18/2008 03:16 PM #
I was wondering if the following authors would be acceptable for consideration. Janet Evanovich and Laurell K. Hamilton. Both are good writers in very different genders. They are also favorites of mine. I hope to attend the festival in 2009 for the first time.
— JoAnne Smith 06/03/2008 03:30 PM #
I would like to have a booth for the event and have sent emails in requesting information. I have not yet heard back. Please contact me. Send an email mdbrodowy@msn.com
— Marcella Lansdowne 07/07/2008 12:25 PM #
Who do I, a successful non-fiction author with 8-books in print, contact to receive a booth to attend Festival. I live in Mimbres, Nwe Mexico. HELP!!!
— Allen Hatley 07/09/2008 10:40 AM #
The Festival has an incredible array of mystery writers including less known authors like Mike Lawson(The Inside Ring), Judith Van Gieson and Jacqueliine Winspear in addition to Leonard, Jance, McGarrity. How did you get so many to attend a first time festival>
— Book Lover 08/04/2008 03:17 PM #
I live in Tucson and have done book signings down by the UofA recently. Would love to be included in the festival. I write dark fantasy and erotic romance. I had signed up to be included in another section of this site back in June, but have not heard anything back. I will email at the mentioned addy for Marcella Lansdowne.
— Anastasia Rabiyah 08/15/2008 10:40 PM #
Anastasia: I’ve sent your information on to the book committee. If anyone else is interested or is waiting for a call back. Here’s the contact information. Debbie
The registration deadline for independent authors wishing to participate in the Festival of Books was June 30. Authors can join a waiting list for spaces that may or may not become available. If you are an independent author and would like to be added to the waiting list for the Festival, please email bookfestival@pima.gov.
— Debbie Kornmiller 08/18/2008 12:41 PM #
Any news on a discount at nearby hotels? Hotel rates that time of year aren’t cheap. Since I’m coming in from Phoenix, I’d rather spend the night than commute.
— Lee Whiteside 10/13/2008 04:30 PM #