The inaugural LitFest celebration of writers and writing was held last year on Wilkes University’s campus.
Submitted photo
Second annual event opens June 18
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The Diamond City Partnership, in conjunction with Wilkes-University and Etruscan Press, has announced that LitFest 2022, a week-long celebration of writers and writing, will take place on the grounds of Wilkes-University June 18-23.
LitFest events are free and open to the public. Anyone who enjoys books or writing will not want to miss this downtown festival. All events will take place under a tent on Wilkes University’s Fenner Quadrangle, located on the lawn outside of the Farley Library, with a rain location in the Henry Student Center ballroom at 84 W. South Street.
The event will include readings, book signings, and interviews with various authors, as well as food trucks and beverages. Those planning to attend are welcome to bring chairs or blankets to enjoy the leisurely evening activities.
The LitFest Entertainment Schedule includes:
Journey of a Book – An interview with Nisha Sharma, a young adult romance writer, and Ken Liu, a sci-fi novelist, on the publication of their new books. This will include short readings and book signings. 7 p.m. Saturday, June 18.
A celebration of contemporary Black writers affiliated with the Wilkes program will take place in observation of Juneteenth. This will include readings and book signings. With music and food trucks starting at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 19 and readers starting at 7 p.m., including poets Shanta Lee Gander and Felice Belle, as well as novelist Christopher John Farley and comics writer and graphic novelist, R. Alan Brooks.
Readings from Wilkes University Alumni and Faculty, with Jen Bokal, Jackie Fowler, Suzanne Ohlmann and Barb Taylor at 4:30 p.m. Monday, June 20 and readings by David Hicks, Robin McCrary, Taylor Polites and Nancy McKinley at 7 p.m.
Wilkes University faculty readings from J. Michael Lennon, Robert Mooney, Kaylie Jones, and Phil Brady at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 21.
Drama Night with stage readings of original plays by Wilkes faculty, 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, with Christine Renee Miller and Gregory Fletcher.
Featured readings from Morowa Yejide, author Ru Freeman, New Yorker journalist Margaret Talbot, and National Book Award finalist Tim Seibles at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 23.
The second annual LitFest is being sponsored by the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing whose mission is to educate students in fiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, creative nonfiction, publishing, and spoken word. For more information on LitFest, contact the Wilkes Creative Writing office at 570-408-4547.
Diamond City Partnership (DCP) is Wilkes-Barre’s nonprofit downtown management organization, serving as the caretaker of our community’s vision for Downtown Wilkes-Barre. DCP also manages the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Improvement District (DWBBID), which provides supplementary cleaning and security services to the properties and businesses of Downtown Wilkes-Barre. Visit us online at www.wbdcp.org.