Book Festival Returns for Second Edition

The Gaithersburg Book Festival is returning to city hall grounds for what promises to be a bigger and better second edition, drawing more than 80 authors as well as industry experts and critics to share their work and know-how with book lovers from around the region.

For fans of books and their authors, there will be readings and panel discussions by authors, including The Weird Sisters author Eleanor Brown and best-selling spy novelist Alex Berenson. Experts in the publishing industry will discuss the state of the book and the industry. Authors will also spend time signing books for fans.

The schedule of book signings, speakers and panel discussions are extensive. The festival's website provides lists and schedules to plan the day.

For those looking to hone their craft, workshops are available throughout the day on topics from college admission essays to artistic book binding. Registration for workshops is open until 5 p.m. Friday or on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the festival, and cost $5 for students and $10 for adults.

An on-site coffeehouse will host poets and musicians, as well as some of the 114 high school students from around the region who entered a short story contest. Contest winners will be chosen around 2:00 p.m., and will receive Barnes and Noble gift cards.

There will also be plenty for young readers, including Dr. Seuss readings and activities with the popular American Girl book series.

The event begins at 10 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 6 p.m. Authors and speakers are scheduled every hour, and a list of book signingsParking is free at Lake Forest Mall at the transit center behind Sears, with a shuttle provided to the festival grounds from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Food and drink vendors will be on-site to serve the crowd, which organizers hope will reach 20,000.