Concord Festival of Authors: Oct 19-Nov 3

The Old North Bridge

Walden Pond

The Old Manse
(Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne lived here)

Why has no one informed us of the fact that Concord, MA is gorgeous? Lucky for you scribes and literary folk with a car and gas money, The Concord Festival of Authors begins next week on Thurs, Oct 19 and will run through Fri, Nov 3. Over 40 authors will be reading at various bookstores, libraries, and other venues in and around the Concord area. Too many to list here, in fact, so take a peek at the Concord Public Library's calendar for this year's schedule. Almost all of the readings/talks are free.

Some obvious stand-outs:

The New Literary Voices line-up on Sun, Oct 22
Rachel Kadish, Tolstoy Lied
Heidi Pitlor, The Birthdays
Adam Braver, Crows over the Wheatfield
Elisabeth Brink, Save Your Own
Mistress of Ceremonies: Lynda Morgenroth
Fowler Memorial Library, 1322 Main St, West Concord | 3:00 pm

The Wizard of Oz Family Party on Sun, Oct 28
There will, in fact, be people dressed up as the Lollipop Guild. Please note costumes are encouraged, not required, though you will feel extraordinarily awkward and un-Oz-like if you aren't dressed in full Tin Man or Dorothy gear. The choice is yours.
Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St, Concord | 2-4 pm

Dennis Lehane, Coronado: Stories on Wed, Nov 1
Mahoney Auditorium, UMass Lowell, South Campus | 7:30 pm

There's an amusing article over at The Foreword that poses the question of whether this sort of literary event should be considered a fundraiser. It involves a chiding phone call from Sandra Day O'Connor to organizer Rob Mitchell. Festivals like this don't make bank, and they survive mainly on the passion and commitment of their organizers, local authors and sponsors, and visiting bigger-name writers who are willing to participate. It's just...well...nice. And we're pleased to see this one has been alive and kicking for 14 years.