Tim's Guide to the DBF

Tim’s Guide to the DBF

Each year when the Decatur Book Festival rolls around I study the schedule and carefully plot out a full weekend of bookish fun. The ironclad schedule falls apart within moments of arrival as I’m pulled in unexpected directions. I always forget to allow adequate time for booth visiting and Brick Store Pub happenings. That said, here’s this year’s pie-in-the-sky game plan:

Saturday

9:30 Madeline Parade – This one is non-negotiable. My four year old daughter has firm plans to meet up with pals to celebrate the first Madeline book in 50 years.

10:00 – The author events begin with a toss up. I’d love to see the New Stories from The South panel just to see ZZ Packer (one of Granta’s Top Young American Novelists). However, a few stages away Douglas Blackmon will be reading from Slavery by Another Name, which has a shot at a Pulitzer (says me). Also: John Bemelmans Marciano will be reading from the new Madeline at the kids stage. A game time decision will be made.

11:15 – This one is easy. I’ll be introducing the Sleep is for the Week: Best of the Mommybloggers panel at the Decatur Presbyterian stage, which features Kristen Chase and Mir Kamin. I pretty much need to be there.

12:00 – Laughing Pizza in concert at the Kids Stage. I mentioned the four year old, right?

12:30 – Another toss up. I hope to see either Rick Bragg reading from The Prince of Frogtown OR Doug Crandell’s Of Hissy Fits and Hairdos panel. I just saw Crandell at Wordsmiths a few weeks ago, so I’m leaning towards Bragg.

Then it’s lunch and wandering around the booths. I’ll catch what I can in the afternoon. Hopefully that will include the Tretheweys.

Saturday night there is a Writer’s Conference Happy Hour at Twain’s, “which will feature live music, a wet flannel shirt contest, and a kissing booth with wax lips, womaned by Hollis Gillespie.” Aye carumba.

Sunday

1:00 We’re hitting the Kids’ Stage for Doreen Cronin, author of at least four children’s books that are currently in my home.

2:00 Andy Runton, author and illustrator of the Owly books, is at the Kids’ Stage.

2:30 Someone go see Robert Olen Butler and ask him about this e-mail. I just can’t.

3:45 Jed Horne reads from Breach of Faith. Meanwhile, Jack Pendarvis reads w/ Sheri Joseph. I caught Jack Pendarvis a few weeks ago at Wordsmiths and it was the hit reading of the summer. Hmm.

5:00 The Cook’s Warehouse Stage features John T. Edge, editor of the Southern food writing compilation, Cornbread Nation 4. I have a firend who has a piece in CN 4, so I’ll be checking this one out.

7:30 The fest closes with Drive By Trucker Paterson Hood performing solo on the square. Aw yeah.

Speaking of music, each day there is live music (and cool air-conditioning) at Eddie’s Attic. There is also a full slate of poetry at the Java Monkey Stage both days, too. I always forget to spend enough time at those spots. And there is always the Brick Store for plotting the next move.

Tags: Decatur, decatur book festival

Books, Happenings | Tim | August 28, 2008 8:37 am

3 Comments

By Hollis Gillespie, August 28, 2008 @ 1:32 pm

I better see you at my kissing booth. I’ll be offering complimentary cupcakes and cavities, too.
By Motherhood Uncensored/Kristen Chase, August 28, 2008 @ 1:48 pm

We hope to make it worth your while — although I can’t say we’ll be better than Laughing Pizza or Madeline (I’ve got a 4 year old too).

Do they have a scheduled nap time in there?
By Dr J, August 29, 2008 @ 10:53 am

Add the Lillian Smith Book Awards ceremony on Sunday afternoon to your list of things to do if you can.
I have the distinct honor of being friends with not one, but two of this year’s two winners, Wesley Hogan and Joe Crespino. (This is the closest I will get to winning the Lillian Smith Book Award.)