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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau
Kimberly Schmitz
Director of Communications & PR
kschmitz@visitTucson.org
520.638.8350
Bill Viner
Phone: 520-721-7964
wv@pepperviner.com
FREE TUCSON FESTIVAL OF BOOKS
DRAWS 340 ACCOMPLISHED AUTHORS
Tucson, Ariz. Over 340 authors will attend the first annual Arizona Daily Star Tucson Festival of Books, March 14-15, 2009. Internationally renowned authors such as J.A. Jance, Billy Collins, Diana Gabaldon and Elmore Leonard will converge in Tucson for an amazing literary event. The festival will be held on the beautiful University of Arizona campus with the UA Bookstore serving as the major hub of activity.
The Tucson Festival of Books promotes a region-wide public celebration of reading and literacy, supported by The University of Arizona, the business community, reading and literacy groups, and tourism/economic development organizations.
The two-day book festival includes an estimated 340 authors, 200 exhibitors and 15 stage areas. Major activities are:
- Lectures, interviews and book signings with local, regional and nationally known authors
- Workshops for aspiring authors
- Poetry readings
- Writing contests, including readings by the winner of the Arizona Daily Star's International Short Story Contest
- Book reviews and panel discussions
- Children's author appearances, interactive stage presentations, children's area, storytelling and arts and crafts activities
- Book sales
General festival admission is free. Friday night gala and private receptions will benefit local literacy groups and programs in the Tucson region. Exhibitors will include booksellers, publishers and literacy and cultural organizations. The book festival is being modeled after successful book festivals such as the LA Times Festival of Books, which draws thousands of book enthusiasts and authors from across the country. Visit http://www.tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/ for the most current list of participants and activities.
"The response from authors, literary organizations, volunteers and book lovers has been incredible. This book festival will be a marquee event for our entire community," said Bill Viner, Chief Executive Officer, Pepper Viner Homes and Co-Chair of the Tucson Festival of Books Steering Committee.
The MTCVB is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Tucson area as a convention, visitor and film production destination. It is financially supported by the City of Tucson, Pima County, the Town of Oro Valley and its nearly 800 individual and business members.
Visit the MTCVB website at http://www.visittucson.org/ or call 1.800.638.8350 for further information.
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