GBF Serves Up Literary Pairings |
Like a fine wine with a gourmet meal, some things just go together. The same holds true with certain authors at the GBF. This year, in addition to individual author talks, the GBF has paired up authors for joint presentations destined to entertain and enlighten attendees. Among the authors featured in this unique format are:
- Jen Lancaster and Sarah Pekkanen – Making her third festival appearance, Pekkanen, author of the new book “These Girls,” will share the stage with veteran New York Times best-selling author and festival newbie, Lancaster, the author of five memoirs including her latest, “Jeneration X: One Reluctant Adult's Attempt to Unarrest Her Arrested Development; Or, Why It's Never Too Late for Her Dumb Ass to Learn Why Froot Loops Are Not for Dinner.”
- Alan Orloff and Thomas Kaufman – These “partners in crime” will discuss mystery writing and their latest works. Orloff is making his his third festival appearance with his latest release, “Deadly Campaign,” the second in the Last Laff Mystery series. His debut mystery, “Diamonds for the Dead,” was an Agatha Award finalist for Best First Novel, and, writing as Zak Allen, he’s published two e-books, “The Taste” and “First Time Killer.” Kaufman is the author of “Steal the Show,” his second book about Washington, D.C., private eye Willis Gidney. He’s also an Emmy Award-winning director/cameraman, shooting TV programs for BBC, Discovery and NatGeo, as well as on the sets of “The Wire,” “West Wing,” “John Adams” and “VEEP.”
- Marvin and Deborah Kalb – In this pairing, we’re keeping it all in the family with father/daughter duo Marvin and Deborah Kalb, two generations of journalists who joined forces to write their new book, “Haunting Legacy: Vietnam and the American Presidency from Ford to Obama.” The book presents a compelling, accessible and hugely important history of presidential decision making on one crucial issue: In light of the Vietnam debacle, under what circumstances should the United States go to war? Marvin’s journalism career covers 30 years of award-winning reporting and commentary for CBS and NBC News, including a stint as host of “Meet the Press.” He is a guest scholar in the Foreign Policy Program at Brookings and the Edward R. Murrow Professor of Practice (Emeritus) at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Deborah followed in her father’s footsteps as a journalist and has reported for the Gannett News Service, Congressional Quarterly, U.S. News & World Report and The Hill.
- Cathy Alter and Rae Bryant – Faculty members from Johns Hopkins University make up this pairing. Alter, a non-fiction advisor at JHU, has had her feature articles, essays and reviews published in local and national newspapers and magazines, including The Washington Post, Washingtonian, The Atlantic, The Huffington Post, Self, McSweeney’s and SMITH Magazine. Her book, “Virgin Territory: Stories from the Road to Womanhood,” was released in 2004 and her memoir, “Up for Renewal: What Magazines Taught Me About Love, Sex, and Starting Over,” was released in July 2008. Bryant’s story collection, “The Indefinite State of Imaginary Morals,” has been nominated for the 2012 Pen/Hemingway and Pushcart awards. Her stories have appeared or are soon forthcoming in StoryQuarterly, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, BLIP Magazine and Gargoyle Magazine, among others. At JHU, she teaches multimedia and creative writing and is editor-in-chief of the program’s new literary and arts journal, The Doctor T. J. Eckleburg Review.
- Judy Gelman and Vicki Levy Krupp – Cooks, book enthusiasts and friends, Gelman and Krupp wrote “The Book Club Cookbook” – a guide to integrating delicious food and food-related discussions into your book club – over stacks of books and endless cups of coffee at a local sandwich shop. The revised edition of “The Book Club Cookbook,” released in March 2012, features 20 newer titles, along with recipes and insights from authors Kathryn Stockett, Abraham Verghese, Sara Gruen and many more. Also author of “Table of Contents” and “The Kids’ Book Club Book,” Gelman and Krupp‘s presentation will include making a recipe for kids and talking with parents about how to set up an interesting children’s book club.
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Local Authors Take the Spotlight on Saturday Morning |
The festival isn’t just a place to see today’s top authors from around the nation – it also features budding talent from our own backyard. Festival visitors will have the opportunity to meet and learn about the works of authors from Montgomery County and surrounding communities during the Local Author Spotlight, happening from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on May 19.
Here’s a look at some of our local writers who will be presenting:
~Non-Fiction~
 Vincent DePaul Gisriel, Jr. – This author of “Hearts Away Bombs Away,” worked for the State of Maryland for 39 years, mostly as an assessor, and was an elected City Councilman for Ocean City, Md., for 14 years.
 Judy Gross – This Gaithersburg, Md., resident is the editor of the anthology, “The Kentlands: A Home for All Seasons.” Gross is a Kentlands resident who brought her interests in photography and local history together to create this book, celebrating one of Gaithersburg’s signature communities.
 Cathy D. Knepper – This Kensington, Md., resident is author of “Jersey Justice: The Story of the Trenton Six,” “Dear Mrs. Roosevelt: Letters to Eleanor Roosevelt Through Depression and War” and “Greenbelt, Maryland: A Living Legacy of the New Deal.”
 B. Morrison – Author of the memoir “Innocent: Confessions of a Welfare Mother,” Morrison speaks about her own experiences to dispel some of the myths and misunderstandings about those living in poverty. Now a writer and engineer, she also conducts poetry and memoir workshops and speaks on women’s and poverty-related issues, maintains her Monday Morning Books blog and tweets regularly about poetry at @bmorrison9.
 Robert C. Plumb – This Potomac, Md., resident is the author of “Your Brother in Arms: A Union Soldier’s Odyssey.” His work has appeared in the Washington Post Style, Home, Travel and Editorial sections. Plumb is a member of the Civil War Trust and the Society of Civil War Historians.
 Paul A. Stankus – This Rockville resident and recent focus of a Gazette article is a train scribe who, during the last six years, has written two books and a collection of poems and stories during his 45-minute daily Metro commute. Stankus leads a weekly virtual poetry jam called DreadPoet’s Storytime.
 C.W. Whitehair – The author of “Escape Across the Potomac,” a Civil War story, Whitehair also is a contributing writer for the Civil War Courier and the Camp Chase Gazette. He has co-authored two novels with his wife Rhonda-Lee, “Northern Fire” and “The Bloody Harvest.”
 Dolly (Dorothy) Yates – In her 90th year, Yates wrote and published her first book, “Tales from the Teapot: Hidden Treasures Found in the History of Tea.” Since that time, she has written two more books.
~Fiction~
 Caroline Alethia – Author of the “Plant Teacher,” Alethia is a professional writer whose work has appeared in newspapers and magazines and on radio and in web outlets. She has worked as a technical writer for the United Nations, a journalist covering European Union business policy in Brussels and an executive producer of national, Spanish-language educational radio programs.
 Gilbert Cooper II – Author of the slave tale “Blood Burning Moon” and an approved curriculum for African American literature for Montgomery County Public Schools, Cooper is an 11th grade English teacher in Gaithersburg, Md. He also coaches Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Tennis and plays the game himself whenever possible.
  Andrew and Elahe Dayton – This husband/wife team are co-authors of “The House That War Minister Built.” Andrew previously published short fiction in the Potomac Review and is a contributing editor for the Washington Independent Review of Books. His wife, Elahe, was born and educated in Iran, earning a doctorate from the University of Tehran. After immigrating to the United States, she earned another doctoral degree at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by postdoctoral work at Harvard.
 Melissa Foster – An award-winning author of three international best-selling novels, “Megan’s Way,” “Chasing Amanda” and “Come Back to Me,” Foster also has been published in Indie Chicks, and is founder of the Women’s Nest, the World Literary Cafe and Fostering Success, a marketing training platform for authors. Melissa is currently collaborating in the film production of “Megan’s Way.”
 Melanie Hatter – Author of the novelette “Taking the Shot” and the novel “The Color of My Soul,” Hatter’s short story, “Obsessed with Claudia,” won the First Annual Romantic Tales Writing Contest.
 E Dee Monnen – A long-time resident of the Eastern Shore, Monnen is the author of “Jumping Over the Moon,” her third baseball novel. Her sequel, “Catching the Falling Stars,” will be ready for release later this year.
~Mystery~
 Robert Bidinotto – An Eastern Shore resident and former staff writer for Reader’s Digest, Bidinotto is an award-winning investigative journalist and magazine editor, and author of two books on the criminal justice system. His debut novel, “Hunter,” was named the #1 “Editors’ Pick” on Kindle, and soared onto the Wall Street Journal’s “Top 10 Fiction Ebook” list.
 Alexandra Hamlet – Author of her first novel, “The Right Guard,” Hamlet is a cultural and defense anthropologist, an international lecturer and a former TV and print journalist. She consults on cultural affairs and international business; was an auxiliary nurse in London; Visiting Fellow at Harvard University; an executive search specialist for worldwide C-suite positions and is a consultant on irregular warfare.
 Brent Wolfingbarger – This D.C. resident is the author of “The Dirty Secret.” He is a prosecutor and has been practicing law for almost two decades, representing both Democrats and Republicans in closely contested, high-profile election law battles.
~Childrens~
 Tami Lewis Brown – Author of “The Map of Me,” a middle grade novel and “Soar, Elinor!,” a picture book biography, Brown left a career as a trial lawyer to earn an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults.
 Jean Heilprin Diehl – A Chevy Chase, Md., resident, Diehl is author of “Three Little Beavers,” her fourth picture book. Her fiction for adults has appeared in literary journals and anthologies, and she has received awards from the Maryland State Arts Council and from James Michener and the Copernicus Society of America.
 Justine Rowden – A poet, writer and teacher, Rowden presents poetry from her books here and abroad. Her latest book, “Paint Me a Poem,” has received an award from the Children’s Book Council and the International Reading Association.
 Adjeoda Tekpor – This 6th grader is author of “The Chronicles of Stranger.” Tekpor was born in Togo (West Africa) and moved with his parents to America in 2002. He is the winner of several school-based academic awards, as well as an award from The African American Festival of Academic Excellence. In addition to his book, Adjeoda has written on several other topics, including the Indian tribe, “Kwakiutl.”
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Children's Village Brings Together Top Authors and Hands-On Activities |
 There’s no chance that any child will say “I’m bored” on May 19, what with close to two dozen best-selling and award-winning authors, a full slate of workshops and a wide variety of hands-on activities happening in the Children’s Village during the Gaithersburg Book Festival.
Offering something for kids of all ages, the festival will host top children's and young adult authors in the Jim Henson and Willa Cather pavilions. Among those who will be reading from their newest works and signing books are:
Children’s Authors
- Tom Angleberger – bestselling author of 2012 Edgar Finalist for “Horton Halfpott,” and 2010 E.B. White Read Aloud Award winner for “The Strange Case of Origami Yoda” and “Darth Paper Strikes Back”
- Cheryl Somers Aubin – author of “The Survivor Tree”
- Fred Bowen – writer of The Washington Post’s weekly KidsPost sports column and author of 16 books of sports fiction (ages 8+) and a picture book biography of Red Sox legend Ted Williams titled “No Easy Way”
- Michael Buckley – New York Times best-selling author of “The Sisters Grimm” series
- Andrew Clements – best-selling author of “Frindle,” in addition to dozens of other novels and picture books, including “No Talking” and “Extra Credit”
- K. Michael Crawford – author of drawing books, “The Mystery of Journey Crowne,” “The Island of Zadu,” “Batty Malgoony’s Mystic Carnivale” and “Professor Horton Hogwash’s Museum of Ridiculous”
- Kate Feiffer – author of 11 popular books for children, including “Double Pink,” “My Side of The Car” and her newest, “Signed by Zelda”
- Marty Rhodes Figley – author of 17 historically based books for young readers, including “The Schoolchildren’s Blizzard” and “Washington is Burning”
- Natalie Dias Lorenzi – a school librarian and teacher who just published her first novel, “Flying the Dragon”
- Ann McCallum – award-winning author of several children’s books, including two math fairytales and her newest math cookbook, “Eat Your Math Homework: Recipes for Hungry Minds”
- Leah Taylor – author of “Horses of the Presidents,” who will be bringing her pony Oreo, which children will have the chance to brush and feed
Teen and Young Adult Authors
- Pam Bachorz – author of “Candor” and “Drought”
- Sheela Chari – author of the middle-grade novel, “Vanished,” a 2012 APALA Children’s Literature Honor Book, and Edgar nominee for Best Juvenile Mystery
- Dr. Jill Chasse – an author, health administrator, pregnancy counselor and perinatal psychology consultant, Chasse's latest book is "The Babysitter's Survival Guide"
- Jay Clark – author of "The Edumacation of Jay Baker," his debut novel for young adults
- Mary Downing Hahn – perennial favorite with readers, Hahn has been writing children's books for more than 30 years. Her latest book, "Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls" was released in April
- Laura Rhoton McNeal – author of "Dark Water, a 2010 finalist for the National Book Award and winner of the San Diego Book Award in young people's literature
- Matthew Quick (aka Q) – author of “The Silver Linings Playbook” and two young adult novels, “Sorta Like a Rock Star” and “Boy21″
- Michelle Ray – a Montgomery County teacher, Ray's debut novel is "Falling for Hamlet”
- John "Corey" Whaley – his debut novel, “Where Things Come Back” was chosen as the 2012 winner of both the Michael L. Printz Award and the William C. Morris Award
Hands-On Activities
 Activities are going on throughout the day, too. Visitors can enjoy story time with local celebrities; visit with The Cat in the Hat; do crafts and art projects with origami artists, American Girl™ Store, Family Services Inc., Girls on the Run and the Girl Scouts; sign up to Read for the World Record with the Scholastic summer reading program and test their skills on the Brain Quest obstacle course.
New this year is Imagination Station, a children’s performance stage that will include:
- Story Tapestries with Arianna Ross
- “So This is Opera!” presented by Yvette Lewis
- “Kid’s Book Club Book” authors Judy Gelman and Vicki Levy Krupp, with a yummy cooking demonstration and tastings, and smart tips for organizing terrific kid’s book clubs
Free Children’s Workshops
The GBF also is offering a number of free workshops for children of various ages. Participants must sign up for the workshop the day of the festival, and class sizes are limited. Free workshops include:
- Accordion Bookmaking (Ages 5-8 and 9-11) – Heidi Bishop, a local artist specializing in print making and children’s book arts, will teach children to make their own Accordion Book. Children will be challenged to think creatively and explore new ways to tell their story through artwork. The 11:30 a.m. workshop is for children ages 5 to 8 and the 2:30 p.m. workshop is for children ages 9 to 11. Maximum class size for each class: 10. Sign up at the Kid’s Workshop Tent.
- Creative Kids (Ages 5-11) – Join Lenore Blank Kelner for a mini-workshop that explores children's stories through drama. The group will create and act out their own original stories based on specially selected children’s books. Maximum class size: 12. Sign-up at the Creative Kids Tent.
- Adventure Theatre MTC’s “No Strings! A Pinocchio Adaptation!” (Ages 6-14) – Adventure Theater MTC's Summer Camp staff will teach participants how to perform a musical number in only 40 minutes! The workshop will include a short excerpt reading of Carlo Collodi's original children's novel, “The Adventures of Pinocchio,” followed by an open dance call and musical rehearsal. Maximum class size: 30. Sign-up at the Adventure Theatre MTC Tent.
- Group Story: Kids Writing Collaboratively (Ages 8-12) – Join Kathy Crutcher, the D.C. director and an instructor for Writopia Lab, as she takes children through a collaborative writing exercise in which they create a group story full of original characters and dramatic conflict. Maximum class size: 12. Sign up at the Kid’s Workshop Tent.
- Read and Rise – A Scholastic Family Workshop (Kids and Parents) – Parents will learn how to become a reading role model for their child with Scholastic’s national literacy initiative that reinforces the practical things all families can do to ensure their children become strong readers and learners. The workshop concludes with a chance for children to create their own original book page that they can take home or later add to a Klutz Build-a-Book.
For more information on Children’s Village programming, the schedule of the day’s activities and other details about the 2012 festival, please visit GBF website. |
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3rd Annual Gaithersburg Book
Festival
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Saturday
May 19, 2012
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On the Grounds of
City Hall in Olde Towne Gaithersburg, Md.
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Time's Running out to Sign-Up as GBF Volunteer |
Great Opportunity to Rub Shoulders with the Literary Elite
It’s one thing to be among the crowd of listeners at an author’s presentation. But it’s even more special to be able to meet some of today’s top authors in person, one-on-one – and you can do that by becoming a volunteer at the Gaithersburg Book Festival.
The success of the GBF is only possible with the assistance of a dedicated group of volunteers who help set up the day before the event and who perform a variety of essential duties the day of to ensure a memorable experience for our authors, exhibitors, attendees and volunteers. Students who volunteer can even earn SSL hours!
We have a number of volunteer jobs available, including:
Author Presentation Tent/Assistant – Help set up, maintain and clean up site, assist manager with preparing stage/tent for each presentation, manage seating/lines.
Author Presentation Tent/Runner – Help set up, maintain and clean up site, escort authors to the Author Signing Area after their presentations.
Author Signing Area/Line Monitor – Help set up, maintain and clean up site, greet authors and visitors, help maintain traffic flow and order within lines, monitor that signing rules are maintained.
VIP Tent/Check-In & Runner – Help set up, maintain and clean up site, assist manager with VIP/author check-in, escort authors and workshop presenters to their program locations, distribute water/snacks to tents and other areas as needed.
Floater – Relieve volunteers as needed, must be knowledgeable and flexible to work in any job area.
For more information or to volunteer on May 18 and/or May 19, visit the GBF website. |
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Registration Open for Workshops |
Whether you want to write the next “Hunger Games,” successfully pitch and publish your work or get into the college of your dreams, the Gaithersburg Book Festival has a workshop for you. There will be eight workshops, all of which are designed to help aspiring writers sharpen their skills and get the results they desire when it comes to achieving their goal of “being a writer.”
Designed for specific age groups, the workshops include:
Adults (18+)
Ages 16+
Ages 14+
Grades 7-12
High School Students
Advanced registration is required for these workshops, as space is limited. There is a nominal fee per workshop of $10 for adults and $5 for full-time students.
Registration can be completed online or in person at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park (506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877).
For more information or to register for the workshops, please visit the GBF website. |
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~ Partners ~
~ Premier Sponsors ~
~ Festival Sponsors ~
Aris and Marianne Mardirossian Charitable Foundation
~ Pavilion Sponsors ~
~ Literary Sponsors ~
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Want to be one of the first to know about the latest news from the Gaithersburg Book Festival and our featured authors?
If so, visit the Gaithersburg Book Festival blog or follow us in the social media universe on Twitter and Facebook. |
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