ST. GEORGE — The Utah Humanities Council is gearing up for its 17th annual book festival with some 150 events scheduled throughout September-November, all geared toward exploration of ideas through interaction with guest and local authors in 20 communities throughout the state. The St. George Book Festival is among those with a full week of events devoted to books and literacy. 

The St. George Book Festival will be held Oct. 20-25 throughout Washington County, with Authorpalooza launching the local festival at Barnes & Noble at Red Cliffs Mall on Monday. Author readings and book signings will take place at various local libraries and schools Tuesday-Friday; a writer’s workshop conference will take place on Friday, along with a charity author dinner to benefit the St. George Children’s Museum and the Washington County School District Foundation; and the ever popular Book Expo Extravaganza will take place Saturday at the  St. George Children’s Museum third floor banquet hall.

The Heritage Writers Guild, a chapter of the League of Utah Writers, has partnered with the Utah Humanities Book Festival — now a program of the Utah Center for the Book, a Library of Congress affiliate housed at the Utah Humanities Council — to help bring authors to Washington County’s schools, libraries and community through this festival. Its mission is to foster the growth and development of literary culture in Southern Utah and Washington County and to promote books, reading, literacy and the arts of Southern Utah.

The goals of the festival include:

• Plan and develop annual book festival that offers a wide range of literary experiences for all ages of the community
• Support and nurture the community of local and statewide writers
• Develop programs that promote reading literacy in our schools and libraries
• Promote the networking of local literature organizations and enhance their capacity to serve the community
• Foster and develop public and private support for book festival activities, as well as other literary programs in the community

Authorpalooza

Featured authors scheduled include David Smith, Russell Estlack, VS Grenier, Amy Jarecki, Traci McDonald and more.

Authors with books in major distribution or being sold at Barnes & Noble will be coming to speak, sign books and do readings during the Authorpalooza event. Find links to sign up and submit your own work on the festival’s website linked here.

The Writer’s Journey: One-day Writing Workshop

This one-day conference is designed to give authors and aspiring authors the opportunity to network and learn more about writing and the publishing industry. It is held at Dixie State University in the Holland Building and is free for the public to come listen to the speakers. There is a speaker box lunch on campus for $15. More information on the workshop can be found here.

Book Expo Extravaganza

The expo offers many opportunities for everyone, including:

• Readers of all ages and genres will get a chance to meet dozens of prolific authors, speakers and presenters
• Enjoy performances by some of the county’s local schools and talented children
• Discuss books and ideas, learn what it takes to be a successful author
• Drawings for prizes, no purchase necessary
• Book signings by best and award-winning authors
• Goodie bag at the registration table for each family or reader – includes free raffle ticket and 10 percent off coupon for one book purchase at the festival
• Purchase personalized and autographed books

Literacy and Charity Dinner

The Literacy Charity Dinner will be held Friday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. at the St. George Children’s Museum, upstairs banquet hall. Honorary guests are Mayor Jon Pike along with his wife Kristy Pike. Keynote speaker is author of over 100 books, Dean Hughes. Cost is $40/adult and $25/child. Find more information on the dinner here.

Sponsors and Volunteers welcome

Sponsors are also being sought to help support the festival. Various sponsorship levels are available, and donors can also sponsor tables at the Book Expo and charity dinner. Donations are additionally needed for a silent auction that will take place at the book festival. For sponsorship information or to make a donation, contact VS Grenier via email or by phone at 435-625-1743. To donate to the St. George Book Festival via PayPal, visit this link.

Volunteers are additionally needed to help at the 2014 St. George Book Festival. Those interested in volunteering may sign up here.

Festival Schedule and Resources