Hundreds of contemporary authorsânational, regional, and local â gathered with book lovers Saturday on the grounds of the state Capitol for the 2022 Mississippi Book Festival.
Founded in 2015 as a âliterary lawn party,â this yearâs event marks the first in two years following a break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Panel discussions feature Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Egan, National Book Award-Winners Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell, National Book Award-winner Ellen Gilchrist, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Jericho Brown, Secretary of the Smithsonian Lonnie G. Bunch, III, and many others.
Additional guests include Star of HGTVâs âHome Townâ Erin Napier, Newberry Medal-winner Matt de la Peña, New York Times bestseller Candice Millard and Times bestseller, Angie Thomas.
Jacksonâs-own Kiese Laymon is also being joined by Pulitzer Prize-Winner Alice Walker to celebrate the 40th anniversary of âThe Color Purple.â
There is also the âAuthorâs Alley,â a hub for self-published authors, booksellers, and publishers from throughout the region, book signings, music, food trucks, and childrenâs activities at the âKids Corner.â Live coverage of the event is being provided nationally by C-SPAN.
The Saturday event lasts until 5 p.m. and is free and open to the public.