BookFest PA Moves Online for 2020

Schlow Centre Region Library’s BookFest PA is celebrating its 10th anniversary in July and features three days of virtual events that will bring together authors and illustrators and book lovers of all genres.

The festival takes place July 8-10 and features the return of best-selling author Lisa Scottoline, who participated in BookFest PA in 2011. On Friday, July 10, Scottoline will be joined by her daughter, Francesca Serritella, and the two will discuss writing, relationships, and their newest books. Scottoline’s latest novel, Someone Knows, came out last year. Serritella’s debut novel, Ghosts of Harvard, was published in May. Penn State lecturer Katie O’Toole moderates the discussion via Zoom starting at 7 p.m.

New additions to this year’s BookFest include a Kids Day on Wednesday, July 8. Events include a Virtual Storytime at 10 a.m., a Kids Art Party at 2:30 p.m. where children can watch a premiere of a slideshow featuring all of the #ChalkYourWalk Weekly Pop-up Challenge submissions and then play a book character drawing game, and Children’s Author Book Talk at 4 p.m. where children’s authors present a short book talk about their most recent works.

On Thursday, July 9, at 4 p.m., Adult Authors Book Talk features each of our adult “tent” authors presenting a short book talk about their most recent works. 

Also July 9, at 8 p.m., comic books artists from Pennsylvania host Drink & Draw. It’s a chance to grab your favorite beverage, sketchbook, and pencils, and chat with artists such as Kara Ballenger, Robert Hack, Jason Lenox, areyoshi, and Chris Ring. Joe Figured from Isle of Comics is special guest host. 

BookFest also will hold its annual Costume Contest with Setsucon. Participants can submit photos to Setsucon and the award winners will be posted to the BookFest PA website on July 10.

During each event, authors and illustrators websites and online stores will be featured so attendees may purchase books. For signed books, attendees may contact the author or illustrator individually via their website.

“So many in our community are looking for ways to engage with others, for whatever normal is now, that moving BookFest online was an easy decision to make,” says Maria Burchill, Schlow Library’s head of adult services.  “We’re looking forward to hosting more events and welcoming Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella to the Happy Valley community.” 

Registration is required for all events. For more information and to register for events, visit go.schlow.org/bookfestpa.

BOOKFEST PA SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

(Registration required for all events. Visit go.schlow.org/bookfestpa to register.)

Wednesday, July 8 — Kids Day

10 a.m.: Virtual Storytime 

2:30 p.m.: Virtual Kids Party 

4 p.m.: Children’s Author Book Talk

Thursday, July 9

4 p.m.: Adult Authors Book Talk

8 p.m.: Drink & Draw

Friday, July 10

7 p.m.: Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella