Words Come to Life at Bethesda's Annual Literary Festival

Release: Bethesda Urban Partnership

Downtown Bethesda will celebrate the diversity of modern literature by presenting the 17th annual Bethesda Literary Festival from Friday, April 15 to Sunday, April 17. Managed and organized by the Bethesda Urban Partnership Inc. (BUP), the festival will feature an array of local and national authors, journalists and poets, as well as writing contests and children’s events. All events are held throughout downtown Bethesda and are free.

The festival features award-winning political commentator Cokie Roberts, the author of "Capital Dames," as well as New York Times bestselling author Kate Alcott, "A Touch of Stardust," and award-winning writer Michelle Brafman, "Washing the Dead."

Other authors at the festival will include:

• Joanne Bamberger, "Love Her, Love Her Not: The Hillary Paradox"
• David E. Hoffman, "The Billion Dollar Spy"
• Former White House speechwriter Jonathan Horn, "The Man Who Would Not Be Washington"
• Paul Lisicky, "The Narrow Door"
• Thomas Mallon, "Finale: A Novel of the Reagan Years"
• John McQuaid, "Tasty: The Art and Science of What We Eat"
• Washington Post columnist Alexandra Petri, "A Field Guide to Awards Silences"

Other highlights of the Bethesda Literary Festival include the Reading and Awards Ceremonies for the Essay & Short Story Contest, the Youth Writing Contest and the Bethesda Poetry Contest; a meet-and-greet with your favorite local authors; and author events for children and teens.

For a schedule and more information about the Bethesda Literary Festival, please click here.