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.