National Book Festival September 5, 2015, Washington DC

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/03/10/national-book-festi...

Not too early to put something on the calendar.

Le sigh.
Indoors again.

Unfortunately I think it's going to be indoors from here on out. The new policy for the National Mall appears to be "America's front yard - Keep Off The Grass!"

They should really change the name to "National Book Conference", because it's completely lost any festival feel.

Not happy at all about the forever indoor venue for the National Book Festival. Nor am I crazy about the increasing size of the crowds there every year. The indoor venue is particularly hard on me as I don't hear very well. Last year, I found the conference rooms made it too difficult for me to understand the presenters due to echoes within the rooms. In addition, the crowds were so large that it was almost impossible to be seated anywhere near the presenters. I'm sorry to say that a podcast at home in front of my computer would have been immensely better for me personally.

However...

At least I have two upcoming local book festivals I will attend that are fun, outdoors, and not too big.

1. International Day of the Book on April 26, 2015
2. Gaithersburg Book Festival on May 16, 2015

If you attend either of these, look for me at the BookCrossing booth!

The Baltimore Book Festival is September 25-27, and they've relocated to the Inner Harbor. Just sayin'!

>6 drneutron: Well that's just weird.

More authors have been announced:

"Following are the pavilions for this year’s festival and the authors scheduled to appear:

- Children: Mac Barnett, Cece Bell, Jenny Han, William Joyce, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Naomi Shihab Nye, Gary Paulsen, Lynn Rae Perkins, Trevor Pryce, Jon Scieszka
- Teens: Kwame Alexander, Libba Bray, Michael Buckley, Phillip Hoose, Cynthia Levinson, Sonia Manzano, Shelia P. Moses, Rachel Renee Russell, Laura Amy Schlitz, Sabaa Tahir, Meg Wolitzer, and winners of the reading and writing contests A Book That Shaped Me and Letters About Literature
- Picture Books: Tom Angleberger, Anna Dewdney, Elise Parsley, Stephen Savage, Peter Sis, Audrey Wood and Don Wood
- Biography & Memoir: Walter Isaacson, David McCullough, Nora Pouillon, Evan Thomas, Amy Wilentz and Richard Zoglin
- Contemporary Life: Yochi Dreazen, Sheryl Wu Dunn, Robin Givhan, Tom Gjelten, Nicholas Kristof, Erika Lee, Francesca Scottoline, Lisa Scottoline, Ray Suarez, Barry Svrluga and Hector Tobar
- Culinary Arts: Najmieh Batmanglij
- Fiction: Stephen L. Carter, Louise Erdrich (2015 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction winner), Ha Jin, Ward Just, Phil Klay, Dinaw Mengestu, Marilynne Robinson, Jane Smiley and Lalita Tademy
- Graphic Novels: Lalo Alcaraz, Keith Knight and Stephan Pastis
- History: Danielle Allen, Joseph Ellis, Evan Osnos, Cokie Roberts, Jeanne Theoharis, Jay Winik and Lawrence Wright
- Mysteries & Science Fiction: David Baldacci, Jeffery Deaver, David Ignatius, Marlon James and Lisa Scottoline
- Poetry & Prose: Daniel Alarcón, Jeffrey Brown, Jerome Charyn, Marilyn Chin, Gail Godwin, Azar Nafisi, Ishmael Reed and Kevin Young
- Science: Judy Foreman, Terrence Holt, Jeffrey D. Sachs, Caleb Scharf, E.O. Wilson and Andrea Wulf
- Special Programs: Elliot Ackerman, Christian G. Appy, Rick Atkinson, Tom Brokaw, Rajiv Chandrasekeran, Peter De Sève, Wendy Doniger, Joseph Ellis, Annette Gordon-Reed, Phil Klay, Jane McAuliffe, Jon Meacham, Jack Miles, Roxana Robinson, and Henry Wiencek.
"

>8 norabelle414: I see several worth a trip to DC.

>8 norabelle414:
Baldacci, Deaver, and Lisa Scottoline.

I know this is Baldacci's third or fourth, now.
Second at least for Lisa Scottoline, if I rememebr correctly.
Swear I've seen Deaver on there at least once before.

*sigh*
Are they having difficulty getting other genre authors or are they just not deemed enough of a draw to get them?

>9 qebo: *Phew!* :-)

>10 gilroy: David Baldacci is a local and he is on the National Book Festival Board. I'm actually surprised he's not there EVERY year.

Are they having difficulty getting other genre authors or are they just not deemed enough of a draw to get them?
It's hard to say. It feels like the festival has always been very heavy on the kids' and non-fiction authors with little regard to anything else. No idea if that's a conscious decision or not.

Here's what the website says:
"Potential participating authors, illustrators and poets must be nominated by their respective publishers. Preferred candidates are usually popular, nationally known authors, illustrators and poets who have won book awards at the national level. They also should have published a significant book recently. More than 300 qualified authors, illustrators and poets are nominated each year to participate and about 100 individuals are selected to present. The author nomination process for each year ends in March. You may submit nominations for next year's festival via e-mail to bookfest@loc.gov beginning in January. Please do not submit nominations between April 1 and Dec. 31. "

So, it could be the publishers' faults? 300 nominations seems awfully low to me.

I'm feeling grumpy about the festival again this year. But excited to see all of you!

Wandered through DC and the Smithsonian area on Tuesday.
I can understand not doing anything out there with all that mess they have right now. OYE!

But I hope once they fix it we can move back outdoors.

>13 gilroy: That makes me feel better, thanks. I didn't realize they were still working on the Mall (I try to stay away from that area late March-early May)

Hmmm, well there are a bunch I'm looking forward to. Isaacson and McCullough in Biography and Memoirs, Stephan Pastis, Deaver and Ignatius, Wison in Science, Brokaw. And did I mention Stephan Pastis? :)

Yeah. I'd like to see Stephan Pastis, too.

The National Book Festival has its own blog now:

http://blogs.loc.gov/national-book-festival/

That is where new updates about the festival will be posted. There isn't much new on there now, except:

"A record 150 authors are scheduled to present in a range of pavilions including Children, Teens, Picture Books, Biography & Memoir, Contemporary Life, Food, Fiction, Graphic Novels, History, Mysteries & Science Fiction, Poetry & Prose, Science, and Special Programs. (Shhh, there are also a few new pavilions yet to be announced.) "

150? Does this mean they're going to do the smart thing and just take over the entire convention center?

Spread people out more...

ETA: OMG! looked at the author list again. a Sci Fi Fav is going to be there. Probably be a standing room only room too. David Weber...

Have my plane tickets and looking forward to seeing you all again!

Cool!

For folks on Facebook--National Book Festival event.

https://www.facebook.com/events/768209249966195/

Any specific times/places folks are planning to meet up during the festival?

>22 bell7: I don't have too many authors I'm excited to see, so I'm happy to meet up whenever. Here's the schedule:

http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/schedule/

I'm willing to meet up whenever as well. I probably don't have a prayer to get anywhere near where I could see or hear Stephen Pastis. Anyway, I'd rather see all of you! :D

I don't think we're going to be able to make it this year. But we're planning to hit the Baltimore Book Fest later in September, which by the way is the same weekend as Baltimore Comic-con!

I'm still in, haven't figured out details yet...

ETA: Looks like I’m going to park myself in Science starting at 10am... I’m reading Andrea Wulf’s The Brother Gardeners now. Also E. O. Wilson will be there.

*sigh* I'm continuing to fight home owner's insurance. Which means my funds for any excursion have been curtailed until they pay me to fix my house. Something that are choosing to NOT do.

So probably won't be there. :(

>27 gilroy: :(

It won't seem right to attend a National Book Festival without your presence!

A highlight at the National Book Festival for me this year will be to meet Todd Bol, co-founder of the Little Free Library organization!

See this for info about Tod Bol's trip.

>29 SqueakyChu: Oh? Where and when?

>30 qebo: I'm not sure. We'll figure it out when we get there. I just found out about it today!

At least it'll be fun for me to talk to him instead of me trying to see and hear speakers in overcrowded echoing rooms! :D

It looks as if you had lots of fun at the Philly meet-up. I had a great time here with Nora, Zoe and Mark. Nora's always such a good event planner. She planned a visit for us to the National Cathedral. That place was HUGE! Zoe and Mark are already like members of our family since they've stayed here at my home so frequently. I always love when you guys are here. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

>25 drneutron: Are you planning a mini-meetup for the Baltimore Book Festival?

>23 norabelle414: >24 SqueakyChu: >26 qebo: I'll have to look at the schedule in more detail over the coming days, but I seem to remember most of the authors I wanted to see either first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon (of course all at the same time...). But I'm flexible - I don't remember seeing a name that I thought "I absolutely can't miss this" as opposed too "Oh, they would be cool to hear if I can."

>25 drneutron: >27 gilroy: Oh dang we'll miss you guys :(

drneutron, have you started a thread in the meet-up group for the Baltimore Festival? That would be convenient to keep track of details.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/national-book-festival-thomas-...

Yesterday's Washington Post special section

Time to start thinking about a breakfast meet-up location? I rarely eat downtown so have no personal experience to offer. Googling brings up this: Open City near the zoo, open 6 am with lots of breakfast options. Short walk from Metro Red Line station Woodley Park/Zoo. Could than Metro to convention center--interwebs says it should be a 22 minute ride, two trains. http://www.opencitydc.com/

I, for one, am not getting up at 6am! ;)

>36 WildMaggie: Last year we had breakfast near the convention center. The plus of this is it's simpler for people to exit casually at different times depending on what they want to see. Would also be useful to know who's coming from where.

We don't have to be there when they open. Just pointing out that they will be open and serving breakfast early enough that we could eat and get to the festival. Some places that came up searching aren't actually open for what I would call breakfast time on Saturday, more like brunch time which would get us to the festival kind of late.

I don't remember where we ate last year but remember it was fine.

Open City was just what I found Googling. Anyone want to suggest a place, jump in.

I would be happy to go to First Cup Cafe again this year, I enjoyed it and the location is great. There's also another, trendier, coffee shop across the street from it. Or, there is a Busboys & Poets 3 blocks away.

Anywhere is good with me for breakfast or brunch or lunch or dinner. I prefer someplace within walking distance of the Convention center, though. I might come later and stay later. I haven't decided for sure yet.

Are we planning an LT meet-up during the day anywhere? My BookCrossing buddies were asking me, but last year we only sat on the floor next to the trash cans. I'd prefer not to repeat that meet-up venue. :/

>41 SqueakyChu: I'm happy to meet up with your BookCrossing buddies as well. I thought I saw some good places to meet last year, but of course the whole layout of the festival has been changed again.

Maybe outside room 102 or 103, which are only being used in the evening?

>42 norabelle414: So let me know for sure where all of LT and BookCrossing can meet up and at what time, and I'll send the BookCrossers the official notice. Many of them will be attending the National Book Festival. We even have a few new members this year.

I hope you all have a great time!

I can meet up at any time other than 2:35 PM - 4:15 PM

>45 norabelle414: Nora, You pick the time and place after checking with the others. It's irrelevant to me.

>44 _Zoe_: We'll miss you, Zoe and Mark. Glad I got to see you both this month! :)

I don't have time to pick the time. I am out of town on a work trip and this evening is the last time I'll be online until Friday morning.

So let's meet up from 1pm to 2pm outside room 102 and 103. We can come and go as we need to. Does that sound reasonable?

>48 SqueakyChu: Sure. The festival site is down and I don't remember what's going on then, but there'll be no perfect time.

>48 SqueakyChu: Sounds good to me.

So breakfast on our own then?

>51 WildMaggie: I don't think so; we just don't have a plan yet. The LT/BC time & place had to be decided so Madeline could inform the BC people.

Re breakfast, seems that a place close to the convention center is best, so that's probably one of the options in >40 norabelle414: unless someone knows of another. I don't care which. I'd hope for earlyish because I want to get to a talk at 10am.

Sigh. They had a perfectly coherent schedule presentation, and they changed it, now difficult to get an overview.
https://event.crowdcompass.com/natbookfest15/custom-list/Schedule?title=Schedule

So I kinda want to know what's what before I leave for the train station Friday morning, typically print maps the night before... I'd be worried that Busyboys & Poets will be crowded. I'd be fine with First Cup again, though my breakfast typically consists of coffee only so I'm not really in a position to judge.

Breakfast at 9:15 at First Cup Cafe?

>56 norabelle414: Maybe aim for 9?

>57 qebo: That's fine with me.

>56 norabelle414:

It's fine with me, too.

By the way, my friend Barbara is spending the night here at our house so she can come to the NBF with us as well. See everyone tomorrow morning...except for Katherine who I will see tonight!

>59 SqueakyChu: Oh, nice. I'm heading to the train station shortly, maps in hand...

See you tomorrow. Bringing SO.

>60 qebo:

Wishing you an uneventful trip. See you soon!

Metro for this weekend:

Red Line trains will operate every 20 minutes throughout the weekend
Joint elimination, switch maintenance, tie and insulator renewal for a safer ride will cause Red Line trains to share one track between Shady Grove & Twinbrook and Fort Totten & Silver Spring.

Thanks for the metro update. As I'm taking the red line from my sister's, I will not be joining you for breakfast, but I will see you all around 1 if I don't run into you there beforehand.

Single tracking, running late. Farragut N

Managed to sneak away from real life. Missed my first author but am camped in Mysteries and Science Fiction. Don't see me leaving my seat now that I have it...

Okay, so ... What are people's opinions of this year's festival? Who did we hear?

Well, I was annoyed that the Ha Jin room was full and that I was turned away. I still like the festival venue outside better.

I had on a pedometer that day and, by day's end, I had walked over seven miles! I think most of the time walking I spent looking for the rest rooms at the convention center. At least I got lots of exercise. :/

I always enjoy our LibraryThing buddies...even though we were but a small crowd this year.

My favorite presentation was the one by Walter Isaacson whose book, Steve Jobs, I read (and loved) last year. I hope to find a copy of The Innovators, his newest, so I can read that book now as well.

I liked the teleprompters that were on the stage with the presenters. Those were new this year.

Why they gave Stephen Pastis a 9pm presentation time is beyond me! I wanted to see him the most, but I was unwilling to stay that late...particularly since I had two house guests with me this weekend.

I was unable to locate Todd Bol, founder of Little Free Library, anywhere even though the festival was the end of his road trip from Wisconsin to DC.

The organization of the states exhibit was set up better so that at least I could walk through the exhibit to pick up swag (mostly bookmarks for my Little Free Library).

Copying from my own thread...

The National Book Festival meetup started out well. The usual suspects, minus a few who couldn't be there this year, met for breakfast. I left early to plop myself in the Science room, where I saw Andrea Wulf (I read The Brother Gardeners just last month, and I bought The Invention of Nature based on her presentation), Rachel Swaby (I read Headstrong as an ER early this year), David Quammen interviewed by Steve Inskeep (I have Spillover, haven't read it, but am now inspired to get to it). All talks were well attended but not packed full. Then a regrouping break with LibraryThingers and BookCrossers, then I headed back to Science to see E. O. Wilson. Along with 1,000,000 other people. Staff was trying to get the crowd into a line (not with full success; I thought I was at the end of it a couple times and was informed by other occupants that I'd cut into the middle) but was encouraging everyone a few layers beyond the door to go find another program. Eventually I conceded defeat and went to the other side of the building to see Evan Osnos, who was fine. Along the way I passed a staff member in walkie-talkie conversation about safety issues in the Science room. I heard later that the line for the talk before E. O. Wilson had also been long, and staff tried to clear the room in between but 3/4 the audience refused to leave; they'd gone to the previous talk specifically to secure seats for E. O. Wilson. I exited the conference center for a bit of sunshine and fresh air, then scanned the schedule, decided Contemporary Life looked pretty good, and returned to... a closed room with a line forming. I wasn't sure where else to go, anything else of interest involved a trek to another part of the building with no guarantee of anything, so I got in line for the next talk and waited a half hour to see Nicholas Kristoff and Sheryl WuDunn. And then dinner and that was that.

So. The National Book Festival seriously needs to get its act together. When it was at the mall, all events were under open tents in a row, so it was possible to hover around the edges or wander back and forth. Now the pieces are split apart and you're either in or out, no middle ground. And somebody decided that science isn't in high demand so it could be put in one of the smaller rooms.

============

The NBF promoted E. O. Wilson on its blog, which surely helped draw a crowd. So it's nice that the publicity was effective, but...

Regarding the Convention Center versus the Mall, yes, the ability to browse events and slip in and out was nice but it was also sometimes very hot and sometimes it rained and the portapotties were portapotties. Air conditioning, real bathrooms (which I had no trouble finding, sorry you did, Squeaky), water fountains, and food onsite make it a lot more comfortable to stay all day. We didn't have any trouble getting into any of the presentations we wanted to hear although I had to stand in the back for Jane Smiley. Up until we went to hear the Australians, we were in the biggest rooms they were using.

Who we heard:
David Ignatius who talked about his fiction and told great stories
Jane Lindskold who talked about her path to becoming a writer and credited my fav Roger Zelazny for his help and encouragement
My SO heard Walter Mosley and said it was very good but I went to the meet-up
The aforementioned Jane Smiley who was interviewed and talked about writing in many genres
Ha Jin who talked about writing in English as a non-native speaker
We heard from 3 Australian Aboriginal writers who shared their very interesting non-Western viewpoint
We got to the last bit of Part 1 of the Graphic Novels panels after dinner where we heard just from 1 of 3 white guys on that panel, a political cartoonist from a major Chicago newspaper and heard Part 2 of the Graphic Novels panels where we heard 3 Jewish New York women cartoonists. These panels were not what I was expecting at all as I think of Graphic Novels as a long form of storytelling with integrated images and words. These speakers did not all do long form. The political cartoonist did single panels to single page. Also they talked mostly about politics--both politics they draw cartoons about and the internal sexist politics of cartooning. The 2nd panel of women included 2 older women who talked a lot about their experiences breaking into cartooning decades ago. Interesting enough but not really about the work as much as about the sexist society where it was hard to be a woman trying to work in any male-dominated field. Nobody talked at all about the things that interest me about graphic novels.

>70 WildMaggie: Yeah, pros and cons, and my experience was skewed by the one presentation that I most wanted to see. Which I realize will be available online soon, but that's not quite the same thing. At the mall, I meandered through the Smithsonian too.

The reports make me sort of glad that I planned my DC trip for August instead, though I'm sorry that I didn't get to see all of you then.

The National Book Festival videos are now available here: http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/results.php?mode=s&cat=70&loclr=blognbf .

>73 qebo: Thanks for noticing that! It sure does take them a long time to post the videos.

For anyone who missed seeing E. O. Wilson at last year's book festival, he will be at the National Museum of Natural History on May 18th. Free, but registration required.

http://go.si.edu/site/Calendar?view=Detail&id=101221