I was new to the Easton Book Festival despite living nearby and claiming, fairly I think, to be a bibliophile.
What is it? The event was held October 12 through 18 in downtown Easton and sponsored by Lafayette College. Its mission is “to inform, educate, enrich, and inspire people of all backgrounds in our community through cultural and literary programs and to otherwise foster intellectual discourse and civic engagement.”
I found out about it through GLVWG and will admit my attendance was to an extent to support members of the group who were presenting, but also to learn what I could from authors and publishers about their writing and the industry. There were also many hands on workshops.
It was entertainment as well. There were children’s events and poetry readings at different stores and shops throughout the week..
Over the weekend I went to multiple panels and workshops held in stores, The Journey Home and Book and Puppet and at the Sigal Museum.
It was fall weather, sun, wind and crisp air. Each day I parked at the trailhead for the Karl Stirner Art Trail and followed it to the Easton Cemetery, where I exited onto 7th Street and took it to Northampton Street along which the event was held. It was a mile and a half walk to the Circle from the trailhead. I even saw three deer grazing as early evening set in Sunday while crossing the cemetery on my way home.
I had not previously been in the Sigal museum where the book expo and some panel discussions were held. The museum had some great local history.
On Saturday the event included author and publisher tents as a part of the weekly farmers’ market, which I thought was great.
Journey Home’s owner Bonnie was very welcoming and as I arrived early to one session we had a nice ranging chat. The sessions I attended both filled her studio. The first was a more creative workshop (this confirmed my prior feeling of not being a good workshopper) and the second was on agent pitches.
Both were worth the time and beneficial.
Book and Puppet was another venue I attended. It had a great space in the back for panel presentations. I attended sessions on both Saturday and Sunday featuring author readings and discussion including audience Q & A.
It was a great event. I enjoyed meeting, talking and listening to people who shared an interest in the simple act of reading and writing.
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