Lineup for 8th Annual Brooklyn Book Festival Revealed

Today, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and the Brooklyn Literary Council announced programming for the eighth annual Brooklyn Book Festival, supported by AT&T, to be held exactly one month from today on Sunday, September 22, 2013, from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM. Hundreds of top authors and participants, both national and international, will join bibliophiles, booksellers and literary organizations on 14 stages, including the Target Children's Area and Youth Stoop, featuring more 90 panels, workshops and readings; sites include Brooklyn Borough Hall and Plaza, Columbus Park, St. Francis College, Brooklyn Law School, the Brooklyn Historical Society as well as St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church.

All Brooklyn Book Festival events on Sunday, September 22rd are free and will once again feature a "Clix Not Tix" system, meaning no more tickets or ticket lines. In addition, over 60 "Bookends", unique literary-themed events that include film screenings, parties, literary games and author appearances, will be held at clubs, bookstores, parks, theaters and libraries throughout the borough from September 16th until the 22nd.

This year, the Brooklyn Book Festival will feature a record number of international authors, hailing from Spain, Israel, Argentina, South Africa, Lebanon, Jamaica, France, Ireland and elsewhere, evidence of Brooklyn's growing stature as an international literary hub.

"It's that special time of year again when Brooklyn gets 'bookish' and shows the world why our borough is the literary capital of the world with more writers per square inch than anywhere in America," said Borough President Markowitz. "The eighth annual Brooklyn Book Festival is shaping up to be another best seller. With over 60 "Bookend" events, hundreds of authors and dozens of panels, this year's festival is literally leaping off the page. Make your plans now and 'book' September 22nd on your calendars because the 2013 Brooklyn Book Festival is going to be a real page turner."

The Brooklyn Book Festival, the largest free literary event in New York City and the Northeast's largest book festival, is presented by Brooklyn Tourism and the Brooklyn Literary Council, initiatives of Borough President Markowitz, and is proudly supported by AT&T. This hip, smart, diverse-and free-gathering attracts thousands of book lovers of all ages. Last year, more than 40,000 visitors and media from around the world converged on Borough Hall to enjoy the Brooklyn Book Festival's lively literary marketplace and a dazzling array of national and international literary stars, emerging authors and programming, from lowbrow to highbrow.

For added convenience, thanks to AT&T, smartphone users can once again use the Brooklyn Book Festival app to plan their day and choose from the hundreds of exciting events taking place. In addition, for the first time, attendees can recharge their mobile devices at one of the eight AT&T charging stations during Sunday's events.

"Following the success of last year's festival, AT&T is proud to again be the presenting sponsor of this year's Brooklyn Book Festival, a literary experience that brings together New Yorkers of all ages and from all five boroughs," said Marissa Shorenstein, New York State President of AT&T. "This year's event is even more exciting with the return of our free app, which offers a digital guide to the week's activities, and the debut of AT&T Street Charge, enabling festival goers to recharge their mobile devices at one of the eight AT&T solar powered mobile charging units located throughout the venue. Now, festival-goers will be able to enjoy all the Brooklyn Book Festival has to offer thanks to our festival app and charging stations, providing a unique experience free from concern of dying batteries while in search of the festivals' many hidden literary gems."

This year's Best of Brooklyn, Inc. Award-the "BoBi"-recipient is the beloved young adult book author Lois Lowry, who penned countless classics like "The Giver" and "Number the Stars." Each year, this prestigious award acknowledges the work of an author who has had a broad impact on the world of literature.

"We are so proud to add Lois Lowry to the prestigious list of BoBi winners, which includes Edwidge Danticat, Pete Hamill, Jhumpa Lahiri, Walter Mosley, John Ashbery and Paul Auster," said Johnny Temple, the chair of the Brooklyn Literary Council. "Ms. Lowry is our first winner whose books are primarily geared toward young adults, and she combines so well with our other 2013 bookmark honorees Sapphire, Nick Flynn, the late great Harvey Shapiro, and Adrian Tomine to beautifully represent Brooklyn's literary legacy."

Major partners of the Brooklyn Book Festival include the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation and St. Francis College. Additional sponsors include: Astoria Federal Savings, Boar's Head Brand, Citi, Con Edison, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, and Target. The Festival is also supported with grants from the Brooklyn Community Foundation, The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, NYC & Company Foundation, and the New York State Council on the Arts. The New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge is the official hotel. Advertising partners include the Joey Company. Media partners include ABC and Time Out New York/Time Out New York Kids.

Cultural and programming partners are BAM, Brooklyn Historical Society, Brooklyn Public Library, Cave Canem, National Book Foundation, PEN American Center, Poetry Society of America, St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church, St. Francis College, The Nation, and The New York Review of Books.

Brooklyn Borough Hall is located at 209 Joralemon Street between Court and Adams Streets in Downtown Brooklyn. For information, call 718-802-3846.

For more information on the Brooklyn Book Festival, visit www.brooklynbookfestival.org, and follow the Festival on Twitter #BKBF and Facebook.

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