2018 Williamsburg Book Festival
Workshops & Presentations
Workshops, panels and presentations take place throughout the day in Stryker Center Room 127
10:30-11:15
What does it mean to be an African-American writer? featuring Myleah Kerns and Jacquelin Blackwell, professors at Thomas Nelson Community College along with other presenters.
Jacquelin Blackwell and Myleah Kearns are assistant professors of English at Thomas Nelson Community College. Blackwell holds degrees from Hampton University and the University of Virginia and serves as a faculty mentor. Kerns graduated from Salem University, MA and NC A&T State University.
11:30-12:30
Poets Laureate on Stage. Four Virginia Poets Laureates give dramatic readings of their work.
Henry Hart, the Mildred and J.B. Hickman Professor of English and Humanities at the college of William & Mary, is the author of three books of poetry, several acclaimed critical works, and was recently named Poet Laureate of Virginia. He will be reading with J. Ron Smith, Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda and Bill Glose, all former laureates. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
1:00-1:45
What is unique about Southern literature and Southern writers? with Shari Reynolds, chair of English at Old Dominion University and Dr. Richard Hodges, Director of Learning Resources for Thomas Nelson Community College
Sheri Reynolds is the author of six novels, including The Rapture of Canaan (a New York Times bestseller and Oprah book club pick), A Gracious Plenty, and The Homespun Wisdom of Myrtle T. Cribb. She is chair of English at Old Dominion University and lives on Virginia’s eastern shore.
2:00-2:45
Making history come alive: the art of creative non-fiction with William & Mary professor, Nigerian Iyabo Obasanjo, and Sally Stiles, author of the acclaimed memoir, Plunge!
Iyabo Obasanjo, a professor at the College of William & Mary, holds degrees from Cornell University, University of California, Davis and University of Ibadan. In 2011, she became an Advanced Leadership Fellow at Harvard University. She is a daughter to former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and served in the Nigerian senate. Her recent memoir is titled African President’s Daughter.
Our 6th year!
Featuring Dr. William Kelso
Presentation: 6:30 p.m. @ College of William & Mary Tucker Hall theater.
Dr. Kelso pursued early American historical archaeology while serving as director of archaeology at Carter's Grove, Kingsmill, and, for 14 years, at Thomas Jefferson's homes Monticello and Poplar Forest. In 1994 he began archaeological excavations for Preservation Virginia discovering the remains of the 1607 Fort at Jamestown.
Publishers’ Alley
Four independent Virginia publishing companies—Pale Horse Books, Blue Dragon Press, Koehler Books and Blue Fortune Enterprises—will display their books and host their authors, editors, and publishers.
For the aspiring author, submission guidelines will be available for each publishing house.
Williamsburg Book Festival Sponsors
The Williamsburg Book Festival is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Williamsburg Book Festival, Inc. is formed exclusively for charitable and educational and literary purposes. Specifically, the organization hosts promotional and educational events, seminars and workshops that promote and support the craft of literary composure and the exposure of writers to the reading public. A recent project recorded the stories of displaced African-Americans living in Williamsburg during desegregation.
The new logo reflects the history of fine writing which formed our nation and our pride in Williamsburg, Virginia’s Colonial Capital, founded in 1699.