PORTLAND – Opening Night, a benefit event for Maine Reads featuring two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner David McCullough, author of “1776” and “John Adams,” and other literary luminaries, will be held Friday, June 22, at Merrill Auditorium.
The public is invited to attend this 7:30 p.m. event, which kicks off the Maine Festival of the Book, a three-day literary celebration June 22-24 in the downtown.
First Lady Karen M. Baldacci, chair of the festival, and Gov. John E. Baldacci will speak at Opening Night, which will feature readings by several well-known authors.
McCullough’s daughter, Dorie McCullough Lawson, a resident of Rockport, will be in attendance and will read a selection from her new novel, “Along Comes a Stranger.”
Other authors slated to appear include Pulitzer Prize-winner Richard Ford and Maine Poet Laureate Betsy Sholl, who will give short readings of works by poets they admire.
Noted Maine authors scheduled to participate include best-selling author Tess Gerritsen, National Book Critics Circle Award finalist Jane Brox and Liz Hand of Lincolnville. Hand has written nine multiple-award winning novels, including 2006 Book Sense selection “Saffron and Brimstone: Strange Stories,” and is a regular contributor to Washington Post Book World and Neil Rolde of York, as well as author of 12 books, including “Down East and Different” and “Continental Liar from the State of Maine.”
Prior to the readings, there will be a reception with the authors at 6 p.m. in Merrill’s rehearsal hall. All of the authors scheduled to appear during the three-day festival are invited.
Tickets to Opening Night readings are $10 for general admission seating and may be purchased through PortTix at 842-0800. Tickets to the reception with authors are $50 and may be reserved by contacting Maine Reads at 871-9100 or info@mainereads.org. The ticket price for the reception also includes orchestra seating for the readings, as well as free parking at the Elm Street Garage on a first-come, first-served basis.
Saturday’s program is chock-full of activities for the whole family, including an appearance by Brian Lies, author of “Bats on the Beach,” with his new bat mobile in Monument Square.
Other scheduled events include theatrical readings by members of Portland Stage Company of works by Maine authors Monica Wood, Lewis Robinson, Peter Behrens and Lisa Carey, as well as poetry readings and panels focusing on fantasy writing, trends in the world of romance writing and writing for teens. There will also be a panel on mystery writing, which will include Harpswell-based Kate Flora, co-author of the Edgar-nominated “Finding Amy: A True Story of Murder in Maine.”
The goal of the Maine Festival of the Book is to encourage a dialogue between authors and readers. Festival events include readings, performances and panel discussions. All events, with the exception of the Opening Night reception and readings on June 22, are free and designed to appeal to a broad range of ages and interests.
Festival headquarters for the event weekend will be the lobby of the Maine College of Art on Congress Street.
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