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September 28, 2006

Pat McGuckin
Randy Nehrt

White Says Illinois Authors Book Fair Expanding To Three Days November 16-18

SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has announced that the 10th annual Illinois Authors Book Fair will expand this year to a three-day event to be held November 16-18, 2006 at the Illinois State Library in Springfield.

"The Illinois Authors Book Fair is one of the most popular and prestigious literary events in Illinois, attracting thousands of book lovers to the State Library every year," said White. "The Book Fair has become so popular that this year organizers have decided to offer more programming, and expand the Book Fair to three days. I'm confident Book Fair patrons will enthusiastically welcome these new additions."

White said more than two dozen well-known authors are taking part this year, including James B. Stewart , Pulitzer-Prize winning author of the best-selling books Den of Thieves, Blind Eye, Blood Sport and Disney War. Other nationally-known authors appearing at the event include Jacquelyn Mitchard (The Deep End of the Ocean), Newbery Honor Book winner Marion Dane Bauer (On My Honor) and popular cartoonist Pat Byrnes.

Festivities begin Thursday November 16th with an all-day celebration tied to Family Reading Night. Family Reading Night, sponsored by Secretary White, is an annual event held throughout Illinois where families are encouraged to read together. Children's authors and storytellers will entertain Springfield area students during the morning and afternoon. From 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., parents and kids are invited to visit the library and take part in Family Reading Night programs that will include authors, costumed characters, celebrity readers and other fun events. Marion Dane Bauer will read and sign books for patrons.

On Friday November 17th, events kick off with the return of popular book appraiser Tom Joyce, who has developed a large following from his appearances at previous Book Fairs. James B. Stewart will give a speech at 11:30 based on two of his other popular and best-selling books: The Call to Duty: Leadership in Times of Terror and The Heart of a Soldier. Stewart will also answer questions and sign copies of his books. Gardening experts Gloria Young and Dianne Nolan will conduct a program for "green thumb" types. The day will conclude with an evening reception highlighting the author of a book that will be featured in the Springfield area's "Together We Read" program. This evening event is being sponsored by Friends of Lincoln Public Library in Springfield, and includes libraries and patrons from Springfield, Ashland, Pleasant Plains, Chatham, Rochester and Sherman.

The State Library's doors will open at 9:30 a.m. Saturday November 18th for patrons to meet authors, attend workshops, and have books signed. There will be an on-site bookstore, and a host of fun activities for young children. Illinois poet laureate Kevin Stein and author Kaylie Jones will present awards to the winners of the 2nd annual Illinois Emerging Writers Competition. Three well-known Illinois fine arts photographers-Larry Kanfer, Gary Irving and Robert Shaw-will also be featured. The Book Fair concludes Saturday evening at Lincoln Public Library with the showing of a the film A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries, based on the novel by Kaylie Jones. Jones will host a discussion of the book and film.

"The state of Illinois is fortunate to have so many talented authors, and the State Library is pleased to showcase our gifted authors each year at the Book Fair," White said. "There is truly something for everyone at this unique event. I hope parents, grandparents, children, families and book lovers from throughout the state will come to the State Library for three days of free fun, as we celebrate the talents of our Illinois authors."

For more information about all Book Fair events, contact Carolyn Bodewes at cbodewes@ilsos.net.