Did you know that Exeter has been a literary hotspot since 1803 (!!!) when an Exeter woman wrote a best selling romantic spoof that is still hilarious today? (Tabitha Tenney's "Female Quixotism")
On Saturday, April 2nd, noon-5pm at Exeter Town Hall the annual Exeter LitFest is thrilled to be able to celebrate the 200th birthday of another early author from Exeter who looms large over the town. James Monroe Whitfield was a Black man who published a book of poems in 1853. Come to his 200th birthday party at 1-3pm in the town hall art gallery. Learn about the man and his poems, enjoy some free goodies and books, and see some student art.
Exeter continues to be literary hotspot today! Come and meet today's authors, as well as some nationally popular true-crime podcasters from "Crime Writers On." Water Street Bookstore will be at the event, with a table full of books by local authors for purchase.
Find out what's happening in Exeterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In addition, in honor of Mary Lemist Titcomb (the inventor of the Bookmobile and Robinson Female Seminary alum) the LitFest hosts an annual free book-swap table on the front steps of the town hall. No swapping necessary - just take what you want!
This event is free and open to the public, and is handicapped accessible.
Find out what's happening in Exeterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
SATURDAY 4/2/22 SCHEDULE
EXETERLITFEST.COM
Exeter Town Hall
12-12:45 - Downstairs: Welcome and Keynote “Publishing with Patterson” Brendan Dubois and JD Barker on publishing their own novels and working with the bestselling James Patterson. Stef Kiper Schmidt, moderator
1:00 to 1:45 - Upstairs: “James Monroe Whitfield 200th Birthday & Homecoming” Celebrating the 200th birthday of Exeter-born poet James Monroe Whitfield with art & poetry.
~ Free books! The library is hosting a Common Read and will gift you with books on John Lewis/Voting Rights: Run by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, and His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope by Jon Meacham, John Lewis. Intro by Chandra Boudreau, Exeter Public Librarian
~ This year PEA poet Willie Perdomo reads James Monroe Whitfield’s poem “America.” Both poets are included in the new Library of America anthology “African-American Poetry; 250 Years of Struggle and Song”. Intro by JerriAnne Boggis, Black Heritage Trail of NH
2:00 to 2:45 Downstairs: “Tell It Slant” Imagination and Truth in Fantasy with Jacquelyn Benson and Alex Myers. Stef Kiper Schmidt, moderator
2:00 to 2:45 Upstairs: “James Monroe Whitfield - Poet & Political Activist” Discussion of James Monroe Whitfield - his family, his poetry and his political activism on the emigration issue. Panelists: Courtney Marshall, Jack Herney, David Weber.
3:00 to 3:45 Downstairs: “Writing Today: Understanding Our World Through Fiction” with Joe Pace, Erica Plouffe Lazure, and Courtney Sender. Katie Adams, moderator
3:00 to 3:45 Upstairs: Local Poet Readings by Sarah Alcott Anderson, Maggie Dietz, Mark DeCarteret, and Matt Miller Alex Myers, moderator
4:00- 4:45 Downstairs: “From Publishing to Podcasting” Meet Kevin Flynn, Toby Ball and Lara Bricker of the wildly popular podcast “Crime Writers On”. Heidi Heath, moderator
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5:00 & beyond: Exeter restaurants celebrate with literary menus and promotions! RSVP early. Participating are Thirsty Moose, Il Cornicello, Vino e Vivo, Ambrose, and Otis.
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Check out the Exeter Public Library events for teens & kids:
9:30 am movie. All day: Teen Trivia, Children’s Scavenger Hunt, and Favorite Genre Voting
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All events are Free & Open to the Public.
To mask or not to mask is up to you. Be safe
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