Easton Book Festival returns with talks on diversity, women’s rights, self-publishing, live poetry

EASTON, Pa. — Poetry, publishing, comics and art all come together at the Easton Book Festival.

Now in its sixth year, the multi-day event will feature writing workshops for children, teens and adults, open-mic performances, spoken word, art exhibitions, a “goddess” illustrating class, a young adult novel session and a small publishing expo.

The festival, sponsored by Lafayette College,will take place Wednesday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Oct. 20.

In total, there are more than 50 events, including several suitable for kids of all ages — and even their furry four-legged friends.

It will be held at various locations in the city including the Nurture Nature Center (518 Northampton St.), the Journey Home (52 S. Second St.), Book and Puppet Company (161 Northampton St.) and the Sigal Museum (342 Northampton St.).

Spooky poetry

Lehigh Valley Poetry has teamed up with the festival to present “Wicked Brew,” a spooky evening featuring local poets, artists and musicians.

Organizers say the themes of the night are “creepy, magical and unexpected,” and costumes are encouraged at the free event hosted by E. Lynn Alexander and Darrell Parry.

When: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17

Where: Connexions Gallery, 213 Northampton St.

To register or for more info,click here.

Open mic, art show and concert

The spoken word continues at Lehigh Valley Poetry and Noble Quills’ outdoor open mic night at Centre Square (Northampton and Third streets) for writers and poets at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18.

Also on Friday, “World War 3 Now?” an illustrated comic celebrates its 54th issue with an art show with cartoonists Seth Tobocman and Kevin Pyle, and artists Shalom Neuman, Mohammad Sabaaneh, Orange, Maisara Baroud, Nicole Shulman, Ethan Heitner, Maryna Novohorodska, Michael MYSH Rozanov, Constance Norgren and Tom Keough.

The show starts at 8 p.m. and will also feature music by Andy Laties, Mark Sloan, Eric Blitz and Jenny Gonzalez Blitz.

For info, click here.

Storytime for pups, Clifford the Big Red Dog

Bangor-based writer John Evans, author of “A Tom Sawyer Companion” which explores Mark Twain’s childhood, is among the handful of authors slated to appear at the Easton Farmers’ Market (128 Larry Holmes Drive) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19.

For the little ones and their paw-some friends, Clifford the Big Red Dog will also be at the Farmers’ Market from 11 – 11:30 a.m. during a story time for both children and their four-legged buddies.

For info, click here.

Also on Saturday: Starting at noon, 19 artists will discuss their work on “Text: An Exhibition of Art Made with Text,” at 1001 Thai (1001 Northampton St.). Refreshments will be provided by the eatery during the three-hour session. The art exhibition, curated by Jackie Lima, runs through Nov. 30.

There will also be a drag story hour with Yippee Skippy Puppets at 1 p.m. at the Book and Puppet Company featuring PrideFest 2022 Royale Champion drag queen, Eileen O’ Brennan.

Additionally, at the Sigal Museum (342 Northampton St.) father and son duo, John Landis and Steven Landis discuss their book “Bethlehem Steel: Rusting Relic) at 1:30 p.m. and screenwriter Alan Roth will host a workshop that explores steps authors can take to bring their book to the attention of movie and TV producers at 3:30 p.m. at the Social Tour (12. S. Sitgreaves St.)

For a full list of Saturday’s events, click here.

Book expo, LGBTQ rights

On Sunday, there will be a small press expo that will feature 30 publisher tables from noon to 4 p.m. inside the Sigal Museum’s auditorium (342 Northampton St.).

Environmental educator Ian Kindle will lead a discussion with author Mario Chiappellli, who will discuss his book, “Preserving the Pennsylvania Wilds: the Rebirth of Elk Country.” The event starts at 1 p.m. at the Book and Puppet Company.

Also on Sunday: The Journey Home hosts an LGBTQIA+ rights/book workshop on Maia Kobabe’s memoir, “Gender Queer.”

For writers seeking advice on how to pen a young adult novel, there will be a middle-grade and young adult writer’s workshop at 3 p.m. (also at Journey Home, 52. S. Second St.).

Remembering a ‘trailblazer’

Prominent Black journalists Randall Pinkston, Melba Tolliver and Eric V. Tait discuss the book, “Mal Goode Reporting: The Life and Work of a Black Broadcast Trailblazer.” In 1962, Goode, a Pittsburgh native, became the first Black national TV news anchor when ABC News network hired him.

The discussion will take place at 3 p.m. inside the Book and Puppet Company.

Lastly, illustrator, Tamara Tornado leads a ritual performance about “female forces” to call on goddesses during a ceremony and illustrating class.

The event will occur at 8 p.m. inside the Book and Puppet Company.

For a full list of Sunday’s events, click here.

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