Patricia Riley Giff

New York Times bestselling author and Newbery Honor award winner Carl Hiaasen will kick off the 14th annual Southern Kentucky Book Fest on April 21.

Hiaasen, a columnist for the Miami Herald, is author of many bestselling novels, including Nature Girl and Star Island. Hoot, Hiaasen’s first novel for young readers, was the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Newbery Honor. And Flush, his second book for kids, spent more than a year on the New York Times bestseller list.        

                Best-selling children’s author Patricia Reilly Giff will headline Children’s Day at Book Fest on April 20. Giff is the author of many beloved books for children, including the Kids of the Polk Street School series. Her novels for older readers include the Newbery Honor winning books Lily’s Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods, and Willow Run, a companion to Lily’s Crossing. Her most recent books are the novels Storyteller and Wild Girl, and the first three Zigzag titles: Number One Kid, Big Whopper, and Flying Feet. Children’s Day allows area schools to take field trips to the event so students and teachers can meet their favorite authors and purchase signed copies of their books.

                Approximately 150 authors for adults and children will be in attendance at this year’s SOKY Book Fest, one of the largest book festivals in the state. All Book Fest events, including the Kentucky Writers Conference, will take place at the Knicely Conference Center, located at Western Kentucky University’s South Campus at 654 Campbell Lane in Bowling Green.

 On April 20, Children’s Day will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Kentucky Writers Conference will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The main Book Fest event with all the authors will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 21. All events are free and open to the public. The Kentucky Writers Conference will appeal to new and experienced writers, educators, and high school and college students. At the conference, a dozen authors attending the Book Fest will offer workshops on various writing topics throughout the day.

                SOKY Book Fest is a partnership project of WKU Libraries, Warren County Public Library, and Barnes and Noble Booksellers. For information, visit the Book Fest website at www.sokybookfest.org or contact Book Fest organizer Kristie Lowry at WKU Libraries at (270) 745-4502.