Texas Book Festival features more than 290 authors; First Editions Gala; Lit Crawl, Austin, Nov. 5–6

It’s Book Festival Week!

Lone Star Literary Life will be on hand to cover the 2016 Texas Book Festival. More than 290 authors will present at dozens of venues in and around the state capitol the weekend of Nov. 5 and 6, 2016. We’ll look forward to visiting with exhibitors, and taking photos that will appear in next Sunday’s edition. (If you have a booth and would like for us to stop by and say hi, email and let us know!)

Readers are encouraged to come see authors they have always loved and discover new favorites, and buy their books. Check out the schedule grid at www.texasbookfestival.org/festival-schedule or pick up a printed copy in this Sunday’s Austin American-Statesman. If you live out of town or miss the Sunday edition, there will also be copies available onsite at the Festival in the Info Tent and TBF Store.

(Details and photo from organization’s website and press releases)

Texas Book Festival authors welcome fans at 2016 Kickoff Party Nov. 4

AUSTIN — Eat, drink and be bookishly merry at the 2016 TBF Kickoff Party! Join 2016 Festival authors and fellow book lovers as we celebrate what promises to be another unforgettable literary weekend in classic Austin style with appetizers from El Alma and specialty cocktails courtesy of Tito’s Vodka. All ticket holders will be automatically entered into our Book Bash Raffle, with a chance to win a Festival Friends Pass and other prizes.

The event, sponsored by Tito’s Vodka, is slated for Fri., Nov. 4, 8-10 pm at Antone’s, 305 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701. The cost of $45 per person includes drinks and snacks. For tickets, visit www.texasbookfestival.org/2016-tbf-kickoff-party/

Texas Book Festival hosts Lit Crawl Sat., Nov. 5

Annual night of literary mayhem to Include trivia, Literary Death Match, Cards Against Humanity Spin-Off, karaoke, and more

AUSTIN – Lit Crawl Austin returns to the Texas Book Festival in East Austin on Sat., Nov. 5, starting at 7 p.m. The annual literary pub crawl, co-hosted by TBF and the Litquake Foundation, features some of the country’s best writers onstage at various East Austin venues in a series of offbeat readings, literary games, and performances, including appearances by R. L. Stine, Yuyi Morales, Sarah Bird, Eileen Myles, and more.

Inspired by San Francisco’s long-running Lit Crawl and produced with their participation, the 2016 Lit Crawl Austin will take place at North Door, the Terrazas Branch of the Austin Public Library, Austin Toy Museum, Lewis Carnegie, Weather Up, and GrayDUCK Gallery.

Highlights include an epic round of Literary Death Match featuring authors Amy Gentry and Teddy Wayne, a trivia round inspired by all things ’80s, a How to Be a Texan game show hosted by author Andrea Valdez, a literary take on Balderdash, and Lit Crawl Against Humanity, based on the hit card game.

The full schedule including detailed times and descriptions can be found at www.texasbookfestival.org/lit-crawl/.

Lone Star Lit editor’s favorite bookish destinations featured in Texas Highways November issue

Follow LSLL editor and publisher Kay Ellington’s literary journey across Texas, with images by Texas Highways photographers: read the article at texashighways.com/travel/item/8316-texas-bookish-destinations. And then email us at info@LoneStarLiterary.com to tell us about your best picks and hidden treasures!

McAllen Book Festival slated for Sat., Nov. 12

McALLEN — The third annual McAllen Book Festival, a celebration of culture and imagination linking readers of all ages with authors, performers, and publishers, will be held at the main branch of the McAllen Public Library, 4001 N. 23rd Street Sat., Nov. 12, from 10 am to 5 pm.

Twenty-five authors will appear throughout the day. Corn dogs, cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn, and fresh squeezed lemonade will all be available for free at the festival while supplies last. The Festival is a free event open to the public.

For more details, visit the McAllen Book Festival’s website at www.mcallenbookfestival.com.

(From organization’s press release)

Art House Dallas, Deep Vellum Team Up for Writers’ Workshop Nov. 12

DALLAS — Art House Dallas will host a Writer’s Workshop Sat., Nov. 12 at Deep Vellum Bookstore to provide an encouraging environment in a small group setting to explore strengths and potential areas of growth for writers. Speakers Andi Ashworth and Allison Fallon will be providing guidance, knowledge and encouragement during the workshop.

Andi Ashworth and her husband, Charlie Peacock, are co-founders/directors emeriti of Art House America. She is a writer (author of Real Love for Real Life: The Art and Work of Caring), gardener, cook, and lover of good books, walks, and connecting conversations. After providing hospitality to thousands of people over many years, it is Andi’s joy to be in a more private season of life, able to work on a new book and shift the focus of her Art House calling to the care of this unique space for readers and writers. Many of her essays on food, hospitality, place, vocation, and the artful life can be found on the Art House America Blog. Andi holds an MA in theological studies from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. She and Charlie have two grown children and four grandchildren.

Allison Fallon is a thought-provoking, honest and engaging speaker who is comfortable speaking to audiences both large and small. Allison has written twelve books, coached hundreds of writers, developed multiple writing curriculums, and has authored her own book called Packing Light: Thoughts on Living Life with Less Baggage.

Art House Dallas is a non-profit organization that focuses on cultivating creativity for the common good. Its goal is to encourage and equip everyone to live imaginative and meaningful lives. They have events every month, each geared either to individualized creative areas or to people as a whole to stimulate inspired imaginations.

The fee for the writers workshop is $25 (includes breakfast), and interested participants can register via Eventbrite at

http://arthousedallas.squarespace.com/events/current-events/writers-workshop

The workshop is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Deep Vellum Bookstore at 3000 Commerce in Dallas. For more information, visit arthousedallas.com