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BBF Unbound 2023: Seeking Submissions

The BBF Unbound series of community-curated sessions annually offers a bounty of creative sessions and workshops proposed by members of our community. Over the past fifteen years, BBF Unbound sessions have focused on self-publishing, political storytelling, writing about animals, writing about homelands and their complicated histories, and writings by veterans. We love hearing your ideas for sessions and working with you to develop successful BBF presentations and workshops.

We’re now accepting proposals for 2023 BBF Unbound sessions, to be presented at the Boston Book Festival on October 14th, 2023 in Copley Square.

We are looking for outside groups/individuals who can introduce fresh voices and new ideas to the BBF. Be creative! The session can involve a debate, demo, workshop, literary improv, dramatic readings, panel discussion, literary games, etc. We are not looking for product promotions, plugs for businesses, or sessions featuring a single author publicizing their work. We are especially interested in program proposals from organizations and individuals who represent communities historically underrepresented in publishing and literary programming. 

You will be responsible for running your session, i.e., gathering participants, beginning and ending on time, and covering any expenses (beyond room rental and basic A/V). We will publicize your session on our website and in our Program Guide, and we will expect you to publicize it via your networks as well. Presenters who come to us via BBF Unbound receive all the same benefits as any invited presenters: a presenter badge, a headshot and bio on the BBF website, and invitations to the festival afterparty at the French Library.

We will evaluate proposals based on: 1. Will the content appeal to the BBF audience? 2. Does the content offer something different from standard BBF fare? 3. Is the individual/group offering a plausible plan for implementing the session?

Not sure if your session is what we’re looking for? Try us! We are always willing to work with BBF Unbound producers to fine-tune their proposals so they’ll work within the larger literary landscape of the Boston Book Festival.

To apply please fill out this form.

The deadline to apply is June 20th — applicants will be notified of their selection by late-July.

If you would like to submit supporting materials, or if you have any questions, please send them to:

Jenny Dworkin, jenny@bostonbookfest.org

We look forward to reviewing your submissions!

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BBF 2021 in Review: “Now What?”

Our full week of Boston Book Festival events for 2021 has come to a close, during which we gathered together (virtually) over our love of words to hear discussions about craft, scholarship, and imagination, and to interrogate the big ideas floating around in our world today.

While there was no planned theme this year, once you take the sessions as a whole, some thematic connections do emerge. One of them was authors looking to and learning from the past, and asking how history influences who we are today.

We saw it stating with our kickoff keynote, where Nicholas A. Christakis and Sandro Galea sought to place our current pandemic in the context of history. Tracy K. Smith spoke about using poetry to interpret the not-so-distant past, and Annette Gordon-Reed and Clint Smith discussed how public historians seek to uncover the stories of the past to tell today.

Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell told us about recreating the past in visual form for their graphic biography of John Lewis. George M. Johnson discussed how their childhood shaped their identity, along with Brian Broome, Kim McLarin, and Chanda Prescod-Weinstein tracing how their past created their present personal narratives.

C. B. Lee and Bethany Morrow described their new YA explorations of past classics. P. Djèli Clark, Anita Kopacz, and Lucinda Roy also talked about how they’ve used past time periods to inform their speculative fiction.

Eddie R. Cole, Martha Jones, and Kate Masur detailed their scholarship on Black institutions of the past impacting the present, and Candace M. Fleming, Kekla Magoon, De Nichols, and Jamia Wilson traced past activism’s impact on the present. Both Tamara Payne and Tiya Miles detailed the research that goes into bringing people from the past alive today, from Malcolm X to slaves nearly forgotten by history.

Even in our story times, Jason Chin and Andrea Wang shared a story of past traditions continuing in the present, and Katie Yamasaki shared a story of a father moving on from his past.

Throughout the Festival, a few of our presenters referenced James Baldwin, and it was “Speculative Fiction” host Quentin Lucas who quoted him, saying “History is not the past. It is the present. We carry our history with us. We are our history.” And that seemed a fitting theme for many of our BBF 2021 sessions.

But as readers and attendees, we have to ask the next question: “Now what?” It was this question—the idea of response and action—which was asked of the filmmakers in our post-screening discussion of A Reckoning in Boston. We’ve listened to authors discuss their work, and heard about their scholarship and research, or how they craft a story, or their road to publication, or how they lead a community of readers, or how they’re rethinking the workplace or everyday leadership.

So how do we respond? Now what?

For many, it may simply be sinking into a chair with a new good read and a happy ever after, alone or curled up with a furry friend. Or it may be reading a book to learn more about a particular topic you may be unfamiliar with. For some, it could be getting involved in their community, having been inspired or challenged by something they heard in one of the discussions. It may be cutting out plastic usage to lead a more sustainable life, or being the first in their workplace to try to end stigmas. For others, it could be responding through writing, and using fiction to comment on your experiences or to finally tell a family story. Or it may be responding through drawing and illustration, or by taking the next steps in your writing career. It may be as big as trying to change public policy, or as small as writing your first poem.

So, how will we, as readers and writers, let what we experienced last week at the BBF influence us going forward? The good news is that if you missed a session or two (or missed all of them!), replays are available at our Crowdcast channel, so you can rewatch and relive a discussion, or experience it for the first time.

We at the Boston Book Festival are also thinking about our past and present, and how that impacts our future as an organization as well. Fill out our survey to let us know what you’d like to see in the years to come.

Finally, we’ve learned from the past two years that what we expect the future to hold isn’t certain. But do sign up for our newsletter, and follow along on our social media channels to find out what we have planned next, as we have plenty more programming throughout the year in additional to our annual Festival!

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Your BBF 2021 Guide to BBF Unbound

Hello readers! It’s Jessica from Team BBF, here to guide you through our schedule for the 2021 Boston Book Festival.

As you’ve probably experienced from past Boston Book Festivals, the sheer number of sessions is like a literary feast set out for hungry readers (the last in-person Festival we hosted had over 150 sessions!). But you’ve also probably felt that panic of “What do I choose?” when you open up that two-page multi-colored spread of sessions in the program guide. (I know I have!)

Because that schedule can be a bit daunting, even in a virtual year, we’re here to help you find the sessions you want to attend so you can see a favorite author, learn something new, think about the world around you in different ways, or discover some new reads for your TBR pile. And because the majority of our sessions will be virtual this year, you don’t need to worry about sprinting down Boylston Street or Washington Street to get to the next session (being sure to grab a grilled cheese on the way). Let’s get started!

BBF Unbound Sessions for 2021

Our BBF Unbound program invites community members to curate and produce their own sessions as part of the festival, and each year, we love to see what comes out of the creativity and diversity of Boston’s literary community. For 2021, we’ll be featuring the majority of our BBF Unbound sessions on our “BBF Bonus Day” on Sunday, October 24. Our diverse and insightful sessions for readers and writers include dramatized flash stories illuminating injustice (No More Drama), a cooking demonstration as metaphor (Bake It Till You Make It), a discussion about writing in the margins of life (Writing in the Graveyard Shift Panel), new techniques to writing with better flow (Set Your Writing Free: Write from Your Intuition and Heart), an examination of environmental themes in writing (After “Nature Writing”), how to more accurately and respectfully write marginalized characters (Writing Outside of Your Lane), and a walking tour of Nubian Square’s history given by METCO students (BEAT Tour).

Here’s your guide to our BBF Unbound sessions.

 

BBF Unbound BEAT Tour

METCO

Saturday, October 23 at 1:00pm | Nubian Square

This session is for readers and writers interested in…: Discovering more about Nubian Square’s activist and arts history from METCO students on an in-person tour.

What you’ll find in this session: Attendees will be introduced to Nubian Square’s history and its many organizers and civil rights workers as they participate in the Boston Education Activism Tour (BEAT) tour, led by high school students in the METCO program.

What you’ll take away from it: New insights into our local history, and inspiration on taking action to make the world a better place today.

 

BBF Unbound: Bake It Till You Make It

Dayna Altman

On demand available now | Virtual

This session is for readers and writers interested in…: Seeing a unique approach to talking about and destigmatizing mental illness.

What you’ll find in this session: Dayna Altman, the author of Bake it Till You Make it: Breaking Bread Building Resilience, will give a cooking demo, using ingredients and the baking process as a metaphor for living with mental illness.

What you’ll take away from it: New insights and understandings of building resiliency in your own life, and a new recipe to try, too.

WATCH ON DEMAND NOW

 

BBF Unbound: No More Drama

Maru Colbert

On demand available now | Virtual

This session is for readers and writers interested in…: Hearing short stories from Boston residents and seeing them dramatized.

What you’ll find in this session: Maru Colbert centers this session on flash stories based upon personal experiences of injustice, which will then be dramatized through performance, spoken word, vocals, and other forms.

What you’ll take away from it: A new ways to experience writing, and better ways to understand and empathize with stories of injustice.

 WATCH ON DEMAND NOW

BBF Unbound: Writing in the Graveyard Shift Panel

Desmond Hall, Doris Iarovici, Daphne Kalotay, and Rishi Reddi

On demand available now (right click to open in a new tab) | Live Q&A Sunday, October 24 at 11:30am | Virtual

This session is for writers interested in…: Hearing from other writers who are also trying to balance their work amongst other responsibilities.

What you’ll find in this session: Desmond Hall, Doris Iarovici, Daphne Kalotay, and Rishi Reddi discuss the challenges of writing their books while balancing day jobs, personal obligations, and more.

What you’ll take away from it: Tips on how to keep the creativity going during the graveyard shift, and knowing you’re not alone if you do.

WATCH ON DEMAND NOW (right click to open in a new tab)

REGISTER FOR LIVE Q&A

 

BBF Unbound: Set Your Writing Free: Write from Your Intuition and Heart

Carolyn Wilkins and Sarah Smith

Sunday, October 24 at 1:00pm | Virtual

This session is for writers interested in…: Learning how to overcome blocked creativity and write in a flow state.

What you’ll find in this session: Carolyn Wilkins and Sarah Smith will guide attendees through exercises that can help them bypass writer’s block, self-doubt, and other hindrances to flowing, free writing.

What you’ll take away from it: New tips and approaches to finding more freedom in your writing practice.

REGISTER

 

BBF Unbound: After “Nature Writing”

Kerri Arsenault, Kate Brown, Joan Naviyuk Kane, and Tony Perry, in conversation with Bathsheba Demuth

Sunday, October 24 at 2:00pm | Virtual

This session is for writers interested in…: Learning how to better incorporate themes of the environment in their writing.

What you’ll find in this session: Four writers—Kerri Arsenault, Kate Brown, Joan Naviyuk Kane, and Tony Perry—will discuss how they use environments in their writing, from how it connects people to each other and history, to the current environmental crisis. They’ll be in conversation with Bathsheba Demuth.

What you’ll take away from it: A better understanding of the interconnectedness of environments, and insights to inspire your own writing.

REGISTER

 

BBF Unbound: Writing Outside of Your Lane

Milo Todd

Sunday, October 24 at 2:00pm | Virtual

This session is for writers interested in…: Better ways to approach writing about marginalized characters, if they themselves are not.

What you’ll find in this session: Milo Todd facilitates a discussion around the questions that writers have around writing marginalized characters, and whether they should do it, and how they can do it accurately and respectfully.

What you’ll take away from it: More empathy and understanding of how to create characters different from you.

REGISTER

 

I hope this guide has helped you get a glimpse into the vast array of writers and what they’re working on who will join us for the 2021 Boston Book Festival. Head to the main schedule to browse all sessions and for registration links, and we’ll see you there!

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A RECKONING IN BOSTON Film Screening Comes to the BBF

What was supposed to be a documentary about Dorchester residents enrolled in a humanities course turned into an exploration of racism, violence, and justice in Boston…

In 2014, Kafi Dixon and Carl Chandler enrolled in a night course offered at a Dorchester community center. It was The Clemente Course in the Humanities, a nine-month rigorous curriculum that includes Aristotle, Kant, Plato, Woolf, DuBois, and Shakespeare, and that encourages students to read critically and think analytically about the texts they encounter. The Course, started in 1995, is offered to low-income adults who have experienced barriers to traditional education. Both Dixon and Chandler entered the Course with a distrust in educational institutions, but were eager to learn and participate. (Chandler was later elected class graduation speaker.)

James Rutenbeck, a white filmmaker from the suburbs, had the intention to simply document the Clemente Course in Dorchester, and to better understand the impact of this academic curriculum on the community. But he discovered much more than students just interacting with the great works of literature. Instead, he found students grappling with the realities of racism, homelessness, violence, and gentrification that surround them, students who face existential threats every time they stepped out of the classroom.

“I had first imagined Reckoning as an observational film,” writes Rutenbeck in his director’s statement. “I conceived it as a year in the lives of students in the Clemente Course, a rigorous tuition-free night class in the humanities. I vowed to keep my distance and let the students tell their own stories. But…I’d been struggling with the film. My editing attempts, however focused, seemed to be leading nowhere. Despite several workshop screenings, I was at a loss.”

Rutenbeck quickly abandoned his intended project, and instead committed to listening and following the stories of Dixon and Chandler instead, and let them lead him to the story that needed to be told. He accompanied Dixon to housing court after she was evicted, and met others there in danger of losing their housing. Rutenbeck also witnessed firsthand Chandler’s uncertainty in keeping his housing as well. “Although I had planned to anchor the film in the personal transformations of the Clemente students, I came to realize ever-present structural racism was something I could no longer ignore,” writes Rutenbeck. “I hadn’t really understood the lives of low-income people of color and had failed to recognize my own complicity in the structures that were holding them back.”

He eventually brought them on as collaborators and producers, and together they investigate what they believe is a reckoning coming to the city of Boston. Says Dixon of Rutenbeck, “It is only through the life experiences of Carl and I that James has become aware of his blind spots.”

The Boston Book Festival is proud to partner with Mass Humanities to bring a free screening of A Reckoning in Boston to our 2021 Festival. Join us Friday, October 22, at 7:00pm for a virtual screen of the documentary, then join filmmakers James Rutenbeck, Kafi Dixon, and Carl Chandler for a post-screening discussion at. 8:20pm, moderated by Rep. Liz Miranda. Watch the trailer below, then register to see the film, and attend the post-screening discussion.

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Welcome to the BBF 2021 Virtual Marketplace

The inevitable signs of fall in Boston: Leaves yellowing, chill evenings, and the familiar rows of tents lining Copley Square, noticeably lively as you come up out of the T stop or walk down Boylston. It’s the Boston Book Festival street fair, filled with exhibitors ready to sell you some books, chat with you about their literary magazine, give you some information on how to be a better writer, or ready to engage the kids with a fun activity.

We’ll get back there eventually. This year, with our focus on keeping our audience safe and healthy, we’ve moved not only most of our Boston Book Festival sessions online, but we’ve moved our street fair online, too, to our Virtual Marketplace.

There, you can browse the virtual tables of over three dozen exhibitors, find out more about their programs or offerings, and pick up a new book or two. This year we’re joined by literary magazines, author and editor organizations, local arts organizations, small publishers, MFA and graduate programs, and more. Some are even offering discounts or special offers for Boston Book Festival visitors.

Visit our Virtual Marketplace to support local and global literary—and literary-adjacent—organizations today!

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BBF 2021 Virtual Sessions FAQ

Laptop screen featuring BBF

As much as we want to see all of you in person in Copley Square and Nubian Square this October, our desire for our reading community to stay safe and healthy is our priority. Despite a few in-person sessions, this year, like last, the Boston Book Festival will be a week-long virtual event, kicking off on Friday, October 15.

At this point in the pandemic, many of us have grown accustomed to working with virtual tools, tuning into virtual programming, and the virtual conferencing and webinar options out there. But if not, or if you’re wondering what our 2021 virtual sessions are going to be like, here’s a bit of a primer for you!

 

What platform will you be using?

All of our BBF-hosted sessions will be held on Crowdcast. Crowdcast is a web-based broadcast platform (so no need to download and install any applications), and our Boston Book Festival Crowdcast hub can be found at crowdcast.io/bostonbookfest. Since Crowdcast broadcasts in webinar fashion, there’s no need to worry about having a camera or mic turned on, or people seeing your face or your name, unless you comment in the chat.

Will I only be able to watch? Or can I interact with others?

The great thing about Crowdcast is that not only do they offer the ability to watch the presenters in webinar style, but they have a live chat where you can interact with others tuning in as well. Some audiences stay silent, and some have a lively running commentary about favorite quotes or passages. It’s a great way to connect with the community virtually!

Will I be able to ask questions on Crowdcast?

Of course! Crowdcast has a button that allows you to submit your questions for the presenters. However, our prerecorded sessions won’t allow for live Q&A.

Can I use any browser for Crowdcast?

You can, but Crowdcast recommends Chrome for best performance (and it really is the best one!).

Can I watch on my phone?

You can! Crowdcast is available on mobile, either online or in the mobile app, but you’ll probably have the best experience on a laptop or desktop.

Do I have to register in advance?

Crowdcast does require a registration for attending a session, and you can certainly register now! They’ll send you a reminder before your session begins with a link to log on (which will be the same link where you registered). You can also register and log on right before the session as well. (Though registering in advance helps us anticipate numbers!)

Do I have to create an account with Crowdcast?

You do have to provide a name and email in order to access the session. You can upload a profile image if you choose so others can see your face in the chat if you decide to chat, or you use one of their anonymous avatars.

Does Crowdcast offer live closed captioning?

Unfortunately Crowdcast does not offer in-app live closed captioning, but live captions are available through the Chrome browser. You can find out how to turn them on here. However, if you’d like to tune in via Facebook, they do offer live captioning for you.

Can I go back and watch the session after it’s over with?

Yes! Everyone who registers for the session on Crowdcast will have access to rewatch it.

Will you be streaming on any platforms other than Crowdcast?

We will! We’ll also be simulcasting to our Facebook page, so you can watch it there as well. No need to preregister—simply tune in.

I see that some sessions will be prerecorded. What does that mean?

It means that we’ve recorded the discussion with the authors beforehand, so we’ll be broadcasting a recording that’s not live. However, you can still interact with the community in the live chat while you watch.

What do you mean that “BBF-hosted sessions will be held on Crowdcast”?

That means that all of the sessions the Boston Book Festival is producing ourselves will be on Crowdcast. However, some of our partners will be hosting their own sessions, like GBH and the Goethe-Institut. For those sessions, follow the links in our schedule to see how they will be hosting their virtual sessions.

Do I have to pay for the session?

The Boston Book Festival is a free event. We do have an option to donate when you register, and you can choose any amount you would like, but it’s not a requirement to have access to the session. However, for some of our sessions, the donations made at registration or during the session will be earmarked for either the Boston Globe’s Globe Santa Program, or to go towards our Shelf Help School Partnership program. (So a bit of incentive to donate!) And donations at any event can help us keep our festival programming—both in-person and virtual—free to all.

Will the in-person sessions have a virtual component?

The only in-person session that will also be live-streamed will be the Boston in 100 Words awards ceremony. Otherwise, our other in-person events (“A Warming World and Your WIP” and the Nubian Square/BPL Roxbury branch reopening festivities) will only be offered to those who are present.

 

That should be all you need to know about our BBF 2021 virtual sessions! Head to our full schedule to register today, and let us know if you have any further questions at info@bostonbookfest.org.

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Browse the BBF 2021 Program Guide

One of the most exciting days on the book festival calendar is the day when the BBF program guides arrive in our office. And today’s that day! Starting this weekend, you’ll be able to find copies of our printed program guide—with a beautiful cover design by Elissa Turnbull and pages that are suitable for dog-earing, annotating, or doodling—in our partner bookstores throughout Greater Boston. Grab a copy when you’re out and about this weekend, and keep it by your laptop or TV through October 24 so you don’t miss a single session of interest. If you’d like a preview, you can flip through our PDF version here!

BBF21_PDFProof_ProgramGuide
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Your BBF 2021 Guide to Fiction and Poetry Sessions

Hello readers! It’s Jessica from Team BBF, here to guide you through our schedule for the 2021 Boston Book Festival.

As you’ve probably experienced from past Boston Book Festivals, the sheer number of sessions is like a literary feast set out for hungry readers (the last in-person Festival we hosted had over 150 sessions!). But you’ve also probably felt that panic of “What do I choose?” when you open up that two-page multi-colored spread of sessions in the program guide. (I know I have!)

Because that schedule can be a bit daunting, even in a virtual year, we’re here to help you find the sessions you want to attend so you can see a favorite author, learn something new, think about the world around you in different ways, or discover some new reads for your TBR pile. And because the majority of our sessions will be virtual this year, you don’t need to worry about sprinting down Boylston Street or Washington Street to get to the next session (being sure to grab a grilled cheese on the way). Let’s get started!

Fiction and Poetry Sessions for 2021

Longtime attendees of the Boston Book Festival know that we are committed not only to featuring mainstream or literary fiction, but also to welcoming authors working in genre, or new narrative forms, or in translation—and that commitment continues this year. The week will be bookended with poetry (Poetry Keynote and Poems & Pints), but in between there’s something for every kind of fiction reader out there: mystery lovers (Every Story Is a Mystery), romance readers (Contemporary Romance Roundtable), spec fiction fans (Speculative Fiction), novels reflecting current day issues (Beyond the Page: The Happiest Girl in the World; Work and Identity), short fiction (One City One Story), and historical fiction that’s also in translation (Ada’s Realm, The Radio Operator). There also a session for readers in book clubs (The Care and Feeding of Book Clubs).

Here’s your guide to our fiction and poetry sessions.

Poetry Keynote

Tracy K. Smith, with host Danielle Legros Georges

Saturday, October 16 at 10:30am | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Hearing a former Poet Laureate of the US and Pulitzer Prize winner talk about her career and her work.

What you’ll find in this session: Tracy K. Smith will not only discuss her forthcoming career-spanning collection Such Color, but will be in conversation with former Boston Poet Laureate Danielle Legros George about the role of poetry in everyday lives, and specifically about its role in recovery and resistance.

What you’ll take away from it: Inspiration in how words, imagery, and verse can address the deeper concerns and considerations of humanity.

Session is sponsored by Mass Poetry, with media sponsorship by TLS.

REGISTER

 

The Care and Feeding of Book Clubs

Callie Crossley, Cynthia Haynes, and Woods Seney, with host Akunna Eneh

Sunday, October 17 at 3:30pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Starting their own book club, or who need fresh ideas for one they’ve been in—a book club meeting about book clubs, if you will!

What you’ll find in this session: Longtime book club members and organizers Callie Crossley, Cynthia Haynes, and Woods Seney will share their experiences in fostering good conversation, how to pick the right books, and how to keep things interesting, in conversation with BPL librarian Akunna Eneh. They’ll also offer the audience a chance to share their own book club advice and tactics.

What you’ll take away from it: Actionable steps to inject some literary life into your book club, and maybe some new recommendations for reading, too.

REGISTER

 

Every Story Is a Mystery

Dale Phillips, Joanna Schaffhausen, and Sarah Smith, with host Steve Rogers

Sunday, October 17 at 4:45pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: How mystery novels, suspense stories, and compelling creative nonfiction are crafted.

What you’ll find in this session: A robust discussion of craft—creating tension, crafting plot twists, maneuvering through POV, and more—between veteran mystery and suspense writers Dale Phillips, Joanna Schaffhausen, and Sarah Smith, hosted by Steve Rogers.

What you’ll take away from it: A behind-the-scenes look into how your favorite mystery writers leave you hanging until the last twist.

Session is sponsored by Mystery Writers of America–New England.

REGISTER

 

Ada’s Realm

Sharon Dodua Otoo, with host Jon Cho-Polizzi

Tuesday, October 19 at 12:00pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: An author in translation with a debut novel exploring the role of women across centuries through a non-traditional narrative.

What you’ll find in this session: Short story and novella writer Sharon Dodua Otoo will discuss her debut novel Ada’s Realm, a sweeping narrative that follows various protagonists named Ada throughout the centuries. She’ll be in conversation with translator Jon Cho-Polizzi.

What you’ll take away from it: Not just how a masterful storyteller can use voice and imagery to craft a striking and unique narrative, but how translators work to convey that narrative to new audiences.

Session is hosted and sponsored by Goethe-Institut Boston.

REGISTER

 

The Radio Operator

Ulla Lenze, with host Marshall Yarbrough

Wednesday, October 20 at 12:00pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Historical fiction in translation, as well as a narrative exploration of immigrant life in early 20th c. America.

What you’ll find in this session: Ulla Lenze will discuss her first novel available in English, The Radio Operator, whose protagonist works for a Nazi spy ring yet uses his wireless to also connect to others around the world. Lenze will be in conversation with the novel’s translator Marshall Yarbrough.

What you’ll take away from it: How novelists craft historical fiction and how translators work to tell those stories to new audiences, as well as a slice of WWII history.

Session is hosted and sponsored by Goethe-Institut Boston.

REGISTER

 

Contemporary Romance Roundtable

Alyssa Cole, Lana Harper, KM Jackson, and Farrah Rochon, with host Andrea Martucci

Wednesday, October 20 at 6:00pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Hearing from celebrated contemporary romance writers, and those who are curious to learn more about the skyrocketing genre.

What you’ll find in this session: Romance authors Alyssa Cole, Lana Harper, KM Jackson, and Farrah Rochon discuss not just their work, but the variety of contemporary romance today, the importance of the genre for readers, and its growing impact on the industry, in conversation with Shelf Love podcast’s Andrea Martucci.

What you’ll take away from it: A glimpse into romance novel creation, and why romance is—and should be—gaining more space in the reading world.

Session is sponsored by Emerson College Graduate Admission.

REGISTER

 

One City One Story

Chandreyee Lahiri, with host Alicia Anstead

Thursday, October 21 at 6:00pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Discussing this year’s One City One Story selection, and hearing from the author on its creation.

What you’ll find in this session: Local author Chandreyee Lahiri will be in conversation with facilitator Alicia Anstead and the virtual audience about the One City One Story selection “Dumba Chora,” distributed throughout the city in the weeks leading up to the BBF.

What you’ll take away from it: Getting to hear how an author crafts a place-based short story, and getting to connect with others in the community.

Session is sponsored by Plymouth Rock Assurance Foundation.

REGISTER

 

Beyond the Page: The Happiest Girl in the World

Alena Dillon, with host Craig LeMoult

Thursday, October 21 at 7:00pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Hearing a novelist discuss their very timely work, as well as for those who follow GBH’s Beyond the Page series.

What you’ll find in this session: A very relevant discussion around Alena Dillon’s new novel The Happiest Girl in the World, about an Olympic gymnast pushing herself to the brink for gold, and how authors can explore dark truths and current headlines in fiction. Dillon will be in conversation with GBH News reporter Craig LeMoult.

What you’ll take away from it: How fiction writers can use created characters and plot to comment on and explore pressing real-world issues.

Session is presented by GBH.

REGISTER

 

Work and Identity

Mateo Askaripour, Eric Giroux, Zakiya Dalila Harris, and Elizabeth Gonzalez James, with host Lanelle Sneed

Saturday, October 23 at 1:00pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Seeing four debut novelists talk about their portrayal and commentary on the work world in new literary fiction.

What you’ll find in this session: Mateo Askaripour, Eric Giroux, Zakiya Dalila Harris, and Elizabeth Gonzalez James discussing novels that follow protagonists navigating the oddities, frustrations, inequalities, and hilarities of working life in America, in conversation with Books on the Rox’s Lanelle Sneed.

What you’ll take away from it: The ability to see yourself and your work life plights represented in fiction—and maybe the ability to laugh a bit at shared workplace antics, too.

Session is sponsored by Greenough Brand Storytellers.

REGISTER

 

Speculative Fiction

Djèlí Clark, Anita Kopacz, and Lucinda Roy, with host Quentin Lucas

Saturday, October 23 at 3:45pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: What Black authors are doing in the speculative fiction space.

What you’ll find in this session: P. Djèlí Clark, Anita Kopacz, and Lucinda Roy will discuss their novels whose settings are alternate realities or near futures—a magic-filled 1912 Egypt, a mystical antebellum past, and a second Civil War—and how these alternate realities can shed light on our own. They’ll be in conversation with host Quentin Lucas.

What you’ll take away from it: How imagined worlds in fiction can comment on society and history, in addition to telling a fascinating and imaginative story.

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Poems & Pints

Sam Cha, Anthony Febo, Rebecca Morgan Frank, Danielle Legros Georges, and Bianca Stone, with host Danielle Jones

Saturday, October 23 at 6:30pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Listening to poetry while having a drink to celebrate the culmination of the Boston Book Festival.

What you’ll find in this session: Poets Sam Cha, Anthony Febo, Rebecca Morgan Frank, Danielle Legros Georges, and Bianca Stone will read from their latest collections, and have some fun doing it in our annual BBF capstone. You’ll also get to meet Mass Poetry’s newest program director, Danielle Jones, who will be hosting.

What you’ll take away from it: The power of words to inspire and provoke, and a big sigh and “Cheers!” after a full week of BBF events.

Session is sponsored by Mass Poetry.

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I hope this guide has helped you get a glimpse into the vast array of writers and what they’re working on who will join us for the 2021 Boston Book Festival. Head to the main schedule to browse all sessions and for registration links, and we’ll see you there!

 

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Your BBF 2021 Guide to Nonfiction and Memoir Sessions

Hello readers! It’s Jessica from Team BBF, here to guide you through our schedule for the 2021 Boston Book Festival.

As you’ve probably experienced from past Boston Book Festivals, the sheer number of sessions is like a literary feast set out for hungry readers (the last in-person Festival we hosted had over 150 sessions!). But you’ve also probably felt that panic of “What do I choose?” when you open up that two-page multi-colored spread of sessions in the program guide. (I know I have!)

Because that schedule can be a bit daunting, even in a virtual year, we’re here to help you find the sessions you want to attend so you can see a favorite author, learn something new, think about the world around you in different ways, or discover some new reads for your TBR pile. And because the majority of our sessions will be virtual this year, you don’t need to worry about sprinting down Boylston Street or Washington Street to get to the next session (being sure to grab a grilled cheese on the way). Let’s get started!

Nonfiction and Memoir Sessions for 2021

The past few years are ones for the history books, and with the Boston Book Festival’s commitment to engaging readers through ideas, observations, critique, scholarship, and new perspectives, it was obvious that we’d commit to sessions focused on what’s affecting our current society, including: the COVID-19 pandemic (Kickoff Keynote: Our Pandemic Future); the climate crisis (Environmental Activism: How To Protect the Planet and Yourself); racial history and present justice (The Enduring Legacy of Slavery; Lifelong Learning Keynote; The Chinese Question; Building Up Their Own: The Legacy, Power, and Potential of Black Organizing and Institution Building in America); activism (Graphic Nonfiction: The Political Is Personal; Woke Leadership); women’s rights and equity (Women: Working It; Period. End of Sentence); and researching historical lives (Lifelong Learning Keynote; History Keynote). We also have a related personal narratives session as well (Memoir: Finding Your Way as a Black Person in a White World).

Here’s your guide to our nonfiction and memoir sessions.

 

Kickoff Keynote: Our Pandemic Future

Nicholas A. Christakis and Sandro Galea, with host Vanessa Kerry

Friday, October 15 at 6:30pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Thinking critically about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on society, and preparing for future pandemics.

What you’ll find in this session: Public health experts Nicholas A. Christakis and Sandro Galea will discuss how living during a global pandemic impacts society and its structures, but also how neglecting issues like economic equality and racism will impact future pandemics. They will be in conversation with Vanessa Kerry.

What you’ll take away from it: How to place our current time in the context of humanity’s history, as well as how to prepare for humanity’s future.

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The Enduring Legacy of Slavery

Annette Gordon-Reed and Clint Smith, with host Meghna Chakrabarti

Saturday, October 16 at 11:45am | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Hearing from two prominent authors discuss the effects of slavery’s history on America today.

What you’ll find in this session: Pulitzer Prize winner Annette Gordon-Reed and National Book Award longlister Clint Smith will interrogate the lingering impact of slavery, including the history leading up to Juneteenth and an examination of Civil War sites. They’ll be in conversation with WBUR’s Meghna Chakrabarti.

What you’ll take away from it: A better understanding of America’s history of slavery, and how to engage in these important discussions.

Session is sponsored by the Krupp Family Foundation.

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Women: Working It

Colleen Ammerman, Danielle Dreilinger, Minda Harts, and Dominique Mielle, with host Morra Aarons-Mele

Saturday, October 16 at 1:00pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Learning more about the history of women in the workplace, current challenges they face, and future change ahead.

What you’ll find in this session: Colleen Ammerman, Danielle Dreilinger, Minda Harts, and Dominique Mielle investigate the roles of women and work: a history of home economics, underrepresentation in leadership, the pay gap for women of color, and what it’s like to be a woman in hedge fund management. They’ll be in conversation with Morra Aarons-Mele.

What you’ll take away from it: A better understanding of the history and present of women in the work world, and the big and subtle challenges and successes found therein.

Session is sponsored by Western Governors University.

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Environmental Activism: How To Protect the Planet and Yourself

Laurie David, with host Tatiana Schlossberg

Saturday, October 16 at 2:30pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Hearing from two climate change experts talk about what we can and should do to take action.

What you’ll find in this session: Also known for producing documentaries like An Inconvenient Truth, Laurie David will bring her insights into how often it’s the little things that affect climate change, and what each of us can do to truly save the planet. She’ll be in conversation with Tatiana Schlossberg.

What you’ll take away from it: A better understanding of climate change’s peril, as well as very doable actions you can take today to help.

Session is sponsored by Cambridge Trust.

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Graphic Nonfiction: The Political Is Personal

Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell, with host David Leonard

Saturday, October 16 at 3:45pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Seeing how storytellers can use art and illustration to convey real lives and address current issues.

What you’ll find in this session: Acclaimed visual storytellers Nate Powell and Andrew Aydin will discuss their work in portraying civil rights icon John Lewis’ life in graphic form, as well as Powell’s work on what it means to be a parent in a time of unrest. They’ll be in conversation with BPL’s president David Leonard.

What you’ll take away from it: You’ll see how evolved the graphic novel and nonfiction form has become, and new ways of making meaning from challenging times.

Session is sponsored by Boston Public Library.

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Lifelong Learning Keynote

Tamara Payne, with hosts Jurianny Guerrero and Kellie Carter Jackson

Saturday, October 16 at 5:00pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: The life of Malcolm X, but also how biography is researched and written.

What you’ll find in this session: A conversation with Pulitzer Prize winner Tamara Payne, who, after her father passed away, stepped in to finish his exhaustive biography of Malcolm X, already decades in the works. She’ll be in conversation with Wellesley College professor Kellie Carter Jackson and Fenway High School senior Jurianny Guerrero.

What you’ll take away from it: The depths of research it takes to compile a Pulitzer Prize-winning book, as well as one family’s ongoing work to do just that.

Session is sponsored by the Eric and Jane Nord Family Fund.

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Woke Leadership

Tracy Swinton Bailey, Priscilla H. Douglas, and Steven S. Rogers, with host Steve Grossman

Sunday, October 17 at 6:15pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Wanting to become more aware about oppressive structures and how to end them.

What you’ll find in this session: Tracy Swinton Bailey, Priscilla H. Douglas, and Steven S. Rogers will share their experiences working to end systemic oppression by increasing childhood literacy, documenting leaders working to end inequality, and raising awareness around racial wealth disparity. They’ll be in conversation with Steve Grossman.

What you’ll take away from it: A better understanding of those doing the work to change society, and recognizing areas in which you might need to get woke yourself.

Session is sponsored by Other Press.

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The Chinese Question

Mae Ngai, with host Jia Lynn Yang

Tuesday, October 19 at 6:00pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: A history of the Chinese diaspora and the post–Gold Rush immigration debate.

What you’ll find in this session: The Gold Rush years saw a massive increase in Chinese immigration to the US, and Mae Ngai and Jia Lynna Yang will discuss the history of the challenges to that wave of immigration known as “the Chinese question,” early 19th c. immigration quotas, and the impacts those decisions have on our society today.

What you’ll take away from it: A better understanding of Chinese immigrants in America, and the roots of racism still prevalent today.

Session is hosted by New England Historic Genealogical Society, and presented in partnership with the Boston Public Library and GBH Forum Network.

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Period. End of Sentence.

Anita Diamant, with host Meredith Goldstein

Friday, October 22 at 5:00pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Increasing their awareness around the stigmas and challenges of those who menstruate worldwide.

What you’ll find in this session: Following similar themes as her novel The Red Tent, Anita Diamant turns her attention to the history, stories, and pop culture accounts of menstruation around the globe, and the fight for the end of that shame and stigma. She’ll be in conversation with the Boston Globe‘s Meredith Goldstein.

What you’ll take away from it: More awareness and normalization to the conversation around what should no longer be a taboo subject.

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Memoir: Finding Your Way as a Black Person in a White World

Brian Broome, Kim McLarin, and Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, with host Kelley Chunn

Saturday, October 23 at 10:00am | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Hearing personal narratives of unique experiences and common humanity.

What you’ll find in this session: Brian Broome, Kim McLarin, and Chanda Prescod-Weinstein discuss their recent works, all of which articulate their experiences as Black individuals navigating white spaces, including being a Black woman in science, a queer coming-of-age, and finding guidance in James Baldwin’s work. They’ll be in conversation with Kelley Chunn.

What you’ll take away from it: A glimpse into others’ lives and experiences, as well as the artistry involved in crafting compelling personal narratives.

Session is sponsored by Arbella Insurance Foundation.

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Building Up Their Own: The Legacy, Power, and Potential of Black Organizing and Institution Building in America

Eddie R. Cole, Martha S. Jones, and Kate Masur, with host Jelani M. Favors

Saturday, October 23 at 11:30am | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Learning more about the history of Black institutions and how they’ve pushed forward civil rights and Black liberation.

What you’ll find in this session: Three scholars—Eddie R. Cole, Martha S. Jones, and Kate Masur—will discuss their work on how Black organizations and institutions pushed voting rights forward, fought pre-Civil War racist legislation, and challenged racist policies on college campuses. They’ll be in conversation with Jelani M. Favors, 2020 MAAH Stone Book Award winner.

What you’ll take away from it: A history of the individuals who fought for equity and equality.

Session is presented in partnership with Boston’s Museum of African American History and is sponsored by the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation

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History Keynote

Tiya Miles, with host Lee Pelton

Saturday, October 23 at 5:15pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: A story of two slaves and the investigation to learn their history through the objects they left behind.

What you’ll find in this session: National Book Award finalist Tiya Miles will tell the story of Ashley’s sack, the information born upon the fabric that is the only historical record of two enslaved people, and how it led to the uncovering of previously unknown lives. She’ll be in conversation with President and CEO of the Boston Foundation Lee Pelton.

What you’ll take away from it: That many people have been lost to history, and what we can do to discover who they were and keep their memory alive.

Session is sponsored by the Wagner Foundation.

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I hope this guide has helped you get a glimpse into the vast array of writers and what they’re working on who will join us for the 2021 Boston Book Festival. Head to the main schedule to browse all sessions and for registration links, and we’ll see you there!

 

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Your BBF 2021 Guide to Kids and Middle Grade Sessions

Hello readers! It’s Jessica from Team BBF, here to guide you through our schedule for the 2021 Boston Book Festival.

As you’ve probably experienced from past Boston Book Festivals, the sheer number of sessions is like a literary feast set out for hungry readers (the last in-person Festival we hosted had over 150 sessions!). But you’ve also probably felt that panic of “What do I choose?” when you open up that two-page multi-colored spread of sessions in the program guide. (I know I have!)

Because that schedule can be a bit daunting, even in a virtual year, we’re here to help you find the sessions you want to attend so you can see a favorite author, learn something new, think about the world around you in different ways, or discover some new reads for your TBR pile. And because the majority of our sessions will be virtual this year, you don’t need to worry about sprinting down Boylston Street or Washington Street to get to the next session (being sure to grab a grilled cheese on the way). Let’s get started!

Kids and Middle Grade Sessions for 2021

Unfortunately, the shift to virtual programming downsized much of our planned kids programming, but we still have ways for kids to hear from their favorite authors online, and we’ve created in-person opportunities for families to connect around a love of reading as well. Like last year, we’ll be setting up three Story Walks around Boston, and will host virtual story times featuring the chosen books: a story time with Jason Chin and Andrea Yang, with their book Watercress featured in Chinatown; a story time with Raúl the Third, with his book ¡Vamos! Let’s Cross the Bridge! featured in East Boston; and a story time with Katie Yamasaki, with her book Dad Bakes featured in Nubian Square. We’ll also have in-person activities and a story time at the reopening of the BPL’s Roxbury Branch. You’ll also get to tune into a children’s and YA book awards ceremony (Boston Globe—Horn Book Awards Feature). And for middle grade readers, we have a session on graphic novel furry friends (Middle Grade Graphic Novels: Cats vs. Dogs).

Here’s your guide to our kids and middle grade sessions.

 

Story Time: Jason Chin and Andrea Yang

Jason Chin and Andrea Wang

Monday, October 18 at 3:00pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Hearing a story about a family and their traditions beautifully told through watercolor, and to get a preview of our Chinatown Story Walk.

What you’ll find in this session: Writer Andrea Wang and illustrator Jason Chin will read their story about a Chinese American family’s mealtime and the discovered tradition and nostalgia within, gorgeously illustrated with Chin’s watercolors.

What you’ll take away from it: Every kid, whether from an immigrant family or not, will relate to the story of family traditions, especially food traditions.

Session is sponsored by Simmons University.

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Middle Grade Graphic Novels: Cats vs. Dogs

Michelle Mee Nutter, Colleen AF Venable, and Stephanie Yue, with host Jef Czekaj

Monday, October 18 at 4:00pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Determining definitively whether it’s “Cats or dogs?” as well as finding middle grade graphic novels focused on best furry friends.

What you’ll find in this session: A Cats v. Dogs draw-off! On Team Dog, Michelle Mee Nutter and her graphic novel about a girl who wants a dog despite her allergies, will challenge Team Cat, with writer Colleen AF Venable and illustrator Stephanie Yue and their graphic novel about a girl and the 217 felines she catsits. Author Jef Czekaj moderates the discussion, competition, and voting.

What you’ll take away from it: The humans who love their furry friends can have a little fun and find some great new reads, too.

Session is sponsored by Simmons University.

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Story Time: Raúl the Third

Raúl the Third

Wednesday, October 20 at 3:00pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: The return of Little Lobo and Bernabé in a new adventure, and to get a preview of our East Boston Story Walk.

What you’ll find in this session: Raúl the Third brings his lively illustrations and storytelling to this new tale about a traffic jam that turns into a big fiesta on a bridge.

What you’ll take away from it: A lively, lighthearted story about the connections we can make with others anywhere.

Session is sponsored by Simmons University.

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Story Time: Katie Yamasaki

Katie Yamasaki

Thursday, October 21 at 3:00pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: Hearing a sweet story about the love between a father and daughter, and to get a preview of our Nubian Square Story Walk.

What you’ll find in this session: Muralist Katie Yamasaki’s work with formerly incarcerated people inspired this story of a father and daughter who bake bread together every day, and the quiet moments they share together.

What you’ll take away from it: The power of simple connection between parents and children.

Session is sponsored by Simmons University.

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Boston Globe—Horn Book Awards Feature

Friday, October 22 at 12:00pm | Virtual

This session is for readers interested in…: The awards ceremony of the annual children’s and YA prize.

What you’ll find in this session: The Boston Globe—Horn Book Awards were first presented in 1967, and they’ll be hosting their 2021 awards ceremony virtually on October 22, honoring authors in YA fiction and poetry, YA nonfiction, and picture book.

What you’ll take away from it: The chance to discover new, awarding-winning authors.

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BPL Roxbury Branch Reopening: Chalk Art

Zahirah Nur Truth/ZNT Arts

Saturday, October 23 at 11:00am | In Person

This session is for readers interested in…: Gathering in person at the reopening of the BPL Roxbury branch, and participating in creating some chalk art.

What you’ll find in this session: Local artist Zahirah Nur Truth will lead the community through chalk art activities, perfect for families and those wanting to add a little artistic inspiration to Nubian Square.

What you’ll take away from it: Connect with others outside and in person, as well as through some fun creative expression.

 

BPL Roxbury Branch Reopening: Dream Street Story Time

Ekua Holmes and Tricia Elam Walker

Saturday, October 23 at 1:00pm | In Person

This session is for readers interested in…: Hearing from two Roxbury natives as they read their picture book in person at the BPL’s Roxbury branch reopening.

What you’ll find in this session: Roxbury natives—and cousins—writer Tricia Elam Walker and illustrator Ekua Holmes will talk about their new picture book inspired by the people and places of their Roxbury neighborhood.

What you’ll take away from it: A homage to childhood memories and joy found in someone’s neighborhood.

 

I hope this guide has helped you get a glimpse into the vast array of writers and what they’re working on who will join us for the 2021 Boston Book Festival. Head to the main schedule to browse all sessions and for registration links, and we’ll see you there!

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