"To read a writer is for me not merely to get an idea of what he says, but to go off with him and travel in his company." -- Andre Gide
Australia
Brisbane Writers Festival
September 12-16, 2007
Brisbane
Website
“The Festival will bring together approx 260 writers from around the world – from Mongolia to Mt Isa.”
2007 Canberra Readers and Writers Festival
“Icy Worlds: Cool Words”
September 21-23, 2007
Canberra
Website
“The Canberra Readers and Writers Festival on the theme of Icy Worlds: Cool Words and featuring over 40 International and Australian Authors, will be held alongside the Lifeline BookFair at Exhibition Park in Canberra from 21-23 September.”
Write! National Young Writers Festival
September 27-October 1, 2007
Newcastle, N.S.W.
Website
“The National Young Writers' Festival is Australia's premier event for emerging writers, publishers, performers and trouble-makers. Several thousand of the country's most challenging and original young minds will descend upon Newcastle for a five day creative bender. Far from the seas of white hair, book signings and celebrity author worship you might expect, the NYWF is a DIY, hands-on conversation between equals.”
Belgium
23rd International Antiquarian Book Fair of Brussels
September 14-16, 2007
Brussels
Website
“The International Antiquarian Book Fair has become one of the most important events for the bibliophiles and book lovers. During three days specialists from Belgium and abroad present and offer for sale a large choice of antiquarian books, illuminated books, collectors, antiquarian cards and unique editions...”
Canada
The Word on the Street
September 23, 2007 in Halifax
September 30 in Calgary, Kitchener, Toronto and Vancouver
Website
“The Word On The Street Canada Inc. is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to celebrating reading and promoting literacy in Canada. We are the largest literary festival in North America.”
Manitoba
Thin Air - Winnipeg International Writers Festival
September 23-30, 2007
Winnipeg
Website
“In September each year, Winnipeg welcomes writers from Canada and around the world for a week of readings, lectures, interviews, conversations, book launches, and other events. That week of literary feasting—which reaches out into the rural areas of the province as well—is THIN AIR, the Winnipeg International Writers Festival. With programming for adults and children, in English and French, THIN AIR is an infusion of energy into the thriving literary culture of this city.”
England
Agatha Christie Week
September 10-16, 2007
Torquay, Devon
Website
Small Wonder: the Short Story Festival
September 19-23, 2007
Charleston, Near Firle, East Sussex
Website
Bath Festival of Children’s Literature
September 21-30, 2007
Bath
Website
“We've lined up for you the most amazing line-up of authors, illustrators and storytellers in the history of the world . . . ever!”
Richmond Walking and Book Festival
September 21-30, 2007
Richmond
Website
“Welcome to Richmond Walking and Book Festival - ten days filled with activities and events that are good for the body, intellect and soul. Whether you’re attracted by the walking or the books Richmond is a great place to be.”
Graham Greene Festival
September 27-30, 2007
Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Website
“This annual event is one of the Trust's main activities and attracts speakers and visitors from all over the world.”
Iceland
The Reykjavík International Literature Festival 2007
September 9-15, 2007
Reykjavík
Website
“The Reykjavík International Literature Festival (Bókmenntahátíd) takes place for the eighth time during the week of 9-15 September 2007. The festival’s main purpose is to serve as a presentation of contemporary literature, with a particular focus this year on the ties binding fiction, society and biography. This year’s festival also features a special seminar on translations of scandinavian literature.”
Indonesia
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival
September 25-30, 2007
Ubud, Bali
Website
“The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival is one of the top literary events in the Asian region. In 2006, the Festival was named ‘one of the world’s great book events’ by Conde Nast Traveler and ‘among the top six literary Festivals in the world’ by Harper’s Bazaar.”
Ireland
The Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival
August 31-September 2, 2007
Cape Clear Island, Skibbereen, County Cork
Website
New Zealand
Going West Books & Writers Festival 2007
August 29-September 22, 2007
Waitakere, West Auckland
Website
“The theme of this year's Going West Books and Writers Festival is 'Food for Thought'. And that's certainly what will be served up this September.”
Scotland
Seventh Annual Scottish Book Town Festival
September 28-October 7, 2007
Wigtown
Website
“This year the festival celebrates peace in Northern Ireland with First Minister, Rev Ian Paisley, giving the opening address, and a good number of Irish and Northern Irish writers in the programme.”
Sweden
Göteborg Book Fair
September 27-30, 2007
Göteborg
Website
“From the 27th-30th September 2007 Göteborg will once again host the largest book fair in the Nordic Region – the Göteborg Book Fair at the Swedish Exhibition Centre. Authors from the whole world will gather to take part in seminars, book-readings, conversations and signings. And they are looking forward to meeting their readers.”
United States
American Library Association
Banned Books Week
September 29-October 6, 2007
Wherever you are....
Website
“Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year. Observed since 1982, the annual event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted.”
Alaska
Bouchercon World Mystery Convention 2007
“Bearly Alive”
September 27-30, 2007
Anchorage is this year's location.
Website
California
Central Coast Book and Author Festival
September 8, 2007
San Luis Obispo
Website
“Join us on Saturday, September 8, 2007 for the Eighth Annual Central Coast Book and Author Festival. The historic Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo, California, is the perfect setting for authors and book lovers to come together during this family event.”
Santa Barbara Book and Author Festival
September 29, 2007
Santa Barbara
Website
“The 9th Annual Santa Barbara Book & Author Festival returns to the Santa Barbara Public Library Main Branch, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007, 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. This community day, FREE to the public, will celebrate books, encourage reading and the love of learning.”
Georgia
Decatur Book Festival
August 31-September 2, 2007
Decatur
Website
“The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Decatur Book Festival is an annual, free book festival that takes place over Labor Day weekend in Decatur, Georgia at several venues located in and around the downtown Decatur Square. Conceived in 2005 and launched in 2006, the festival brings more than 100 authors to Decatur for the holiday weekend. The authors give readings, talks, and panel discussions.”
Georgia Literary Festival
September 29, 2007
Blue Ridge
Website
“The Georgia Literary Festival is a "moveable feast" that celebrates the rich literary heritage of the state in a location each year. We are pleased to announce that the ninth annual Georgia Literary Festival will be hosted in 2007 by the town of Blue Ridge in Fannin County in the beautiful North Georgia mountains.”
Illinois
Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival
September 2-3, 2007
Island Park, Geneva
Website
“The Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival will be held at the beautiful 13 acre Island Park, located in downtown Geneva, IL, about 40 miles West of downtown Chicago. Eight stage areas present concerts, hands-on workshops, topical song and story workshops, dance, vocal and instrument classes and special things for the kids.”
Indiana
18th Annual Bristol Hills Storytelling Festival
September 7-8, 2007
Bristol
Website
Kentucky
Corn Island Storytelling Festival
September 6-8, 2007
Louisville
Website
“Corn Island Storytelling holds as its central tenet that storytelling is at the root of cultural identity and interpersonal communication. It is a compilation of history one story at a time -- the common denominator of human experience. Storytelling is an art form that bridges cultural diversity, gender barriers and age differences.”
Cave Run Storytelling Festival
September 28-29, 2007
Cave Run
Website
“Enjoy America's best loved storytellers in a beautiful mountain lakeside setting. Let these talented artists take you away to other times and places through the intrigue of storytelling. Stories will be told in large tents on the shore of Cave Run Lake in the Daniel Boone National Forest located eight miles west of Morehead, Kentucky.”
Maryland
Baltimore Book Festival
September 28-30, 2007
Baltimore
Website
“Located in Mount Vernon Square, the Washington Monument overlooks the historic festival site and offers the perfect location for a weekend outing. In 2006, our roster of 200+ authors included Ruby Dee, Sebastian Junger, James McGreevy, Taylor Branch, Kevin Clash, Kate White, Amy Goodman, G. Garvin, John Waters, Christine Vachon, Joseph C. Phillips, Hill Harper, Nathalie Dupree, John Shields, Lindsey Williams, Paul Zelinsky, Kevin Hawkes, Marla Frazee and Chris Raschka.”
Massachusetts
Three Apples Storytelling Festival
September 28-30, 2007
Bedford
Website
“Join us for the 23rd Annual Three Apples Storytelling Festival hosted by Bedford Center for the Arts. Back by popular demand Festival favorites Bill Harley and Leeny Del Seamonds. New to our stages, Onawumi Jean Moss from Amherst, MA. The festivities begin Friday, September 28 through Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007 in colonial Bedford, Massachusetts.”
Montana
Montana Festival of the Book
September 13-15, 2007
Missoula
Website
“As in years past, the Montana Festival of the Book will feature some of the most important voices of the West, including award-winning authors James Lee Burke, William Kittredge, Deirdre McNamer, Ron Carlson, Larry Watson, Mary Clearman Blew, Pete Fromm, Aryn Kyle, Christy Leskovar, Kat Martin, Guy Vanderhaeghe, Kevin Canty, Alyson Hagy, and many others.”
New York
Brooklyn Book Festival
September 16, 2007
Brooklyn
Website
“The second annual Brooklyn Book Festival on September 16, 2007 is a book lover’s dream come true! The festival presents exciting and innovative fiction and non-fiction programs with author discussions and readings—come early to get a seat! Nearly 100 booksellers and thousands of books will fill beautiful Borough Hall Plaza and Columbus Park. You can hear a poetry slam, participate in a define-a-thon, and have your favorite book signed by the author. Children can hear their best-loved books read at the Target Children’s Pavilion; teenagers will find sports, fantasy, graphic novels and more at the Independence Community Foundation Youth Pavilion. The Brooklyn Book Festival is a best seller! See you there!”
North Carolina
Carolina Mountain Literary Festival
September 14-15, 2007
Burnsville
Website
Ohio
Ohioana Book Festival
September 15, 2007
Columbus
Website
“Welcome to the first annual Ohioana Book Festival! This year’s festival, sponsored by the Ohioana Library, celebrates Ohio writers through the book Good Roots: Writers Reflect on Growing Up in Ohio, published in 2007 by Ohio University Press.”
Oregon
Stories by the Sea Storytelling Festival
September 21-23, 2007
Newport
Website
Learn to tell stories
Share a story (or just listen) at the story swaps
Hear master storytellers share their art
South Dakota
South Dakota Festival of Books -- "Where Readers and Writers Rendezvous"
September 28-30, 2007
Deadwood
Website
“Welcome! We hope you make plans to attend the Fifth Annual South Dakota Festival of Books, Sept. 28-30 in Deadwood! Where readers and writers rendezvous, the Festival offers events for all ages that celebrate the literary arts.”
Texas
West Texas Book and Music Festival
September 25-29, 2007
Abilene
Website
Vermont
Burlington Book Festival
September 14-16, 2007
Burlington
Website
“Following up on the phenomenal success of the first two Festivals, organizers have planned a world class weekend of readings, signings, panels, workshops, film screenings, demos, rare book appraisals, original theatrical productions, Q&A sessions, presentations, family activities, and special events featuring literary luminaries from around the world-and just around the corner!”
Brattleboro Literary Festival
September 28-30, 2007
Brattleboro
Website
“The 6th annual Brattleboro Literary Festival will take place September 28-30, 2007. Brattleboro Literary Festival is a three-day celebration of those who read books, those who write books, and of the books themselves. Located in downtown Brattleboro, Vermont, the Festival includes readings, panel discussions, and special events, featuring emerging and established authors. All events are free.”
Virginia
Fall for the Book Festival
September 23-28, 2007
George Mason University and in the Community, Fairfax
Website
“The rock stars of writing, the chroniclers of our age. Reading and talking about writing. Covering every important topic of the day - and of days long past. Revealing their stories and the stories behind their work.”
Washington
Bumbershoot (includes the literary arts)
September 1-3, 2007
Seattle
Website
Washington, D.C.
2007 National Book Festival
September 29, 2007
Washington, D.C.
Website
Wisconsin
Spring Green Literary Festival
September 7-8, 2007
Spring Green
Website
"Every fall, in the Wisconsin River Valley near Spring Green, nationally renowned authors and poets meet with areawide lovers of books and writing to explore the importance of the literary arts to human understanding. On the grounds of architect Frank Lloyd Wright's treasured Taliesin® estate, in a setting designed for inspiration, readers gather in small groups to listen to a writer's interpretation of the human experience and to discover the fine art of writing. Through these intimate conversations, participants enrich their lives."
Wyoming
Wyoming Book Festival
September 14-15, 2007
Cheyenne
Website
“The Wyoming Book Festival will be held in Cheyenne, September 15, 2007. It will celebrate Wyoming's rich literary heritage, promote Wyoming's books and support the state's authors, encourage reading, broaden people's reading choices, and provide educational opportunities for Pre-K – 12 students. More than fifty authors will be invited to read, discuss and sign their work; most will have lived in or written about Wyoming.”
"Read books. They are good for us." -- Natalie Goldberg
In 1929, M. F. K. Fisher arrived in Dijon, “the provincial capital of Burgundy and the gastronomical capital of France,” as a young bride. In Long Ago in France, Fisher remembers the three years that Dijon was her home, recalling the people she met, the city streets she came to know, French cooking that changed her life forever, and what it was like to be young and in love.
The Goethe House, where Johann Wolfgang Goethe was born on August 28, 1749, and the adjoining Goethe Museum celebrate the writer’s life and work. Destroyed by allied bombing during World War II, the house has been meticulously rebuilt. Today, visitors can imagine Goethe’s early years, with many pieces owned by the Goethe family on display. The adjoining museum offers “the only picture gallery dedicated to the Age of Goethe.” The Goethe House and Goethe Museum website offers visitor information.