UK-affiliated authors to be featured at Kentucky Book Festival Nov. 2
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 31, 2024) — The 43rd annual Kentucky Book Festival will return to Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 2.
More than 150 authors will be in attendance, meeting readers and signing books. Patrons can enjoy a full slate of main stage events alongside educational workshops and craft talks, as well as a children’s schedule of events.
Headlining this year’s program are Al Roker of NBC’s “Today Show,” Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jonathon Eig, New York Times best-selling author Nic Stone and more.
Notable University of Kentucky faculty, staff and alumni will also headline the event, including Frank X Walker and Crystal Wilkinson — former Kentucky Poets Laureate — as well as sports legends Jack “Goose” Givens and Derrick Ramsey, among many others.
The UK-affiliated authors include:
- Holly Burke, program coordinator for UK Markey Cancer Center’s Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) program.
- Joshua A. Douglas, acting associate dean for research and Ashland, Inc.-Spears Distinguished Research Professor of Law.
- Zach Garland, UK English alumnus.
- Jack “Goose” Givens, UK alumnus and former UK and professional basketball player.
- Dorian Hairston, UK English alumnus and former UK baseball player.
- Anita Hatchett, UK English alumna and executive director of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Office of Public Affairs and Constituent Services.
- Robby Henson, filmmaker, screenwriter, theater director, playwright and instructor in the UK College of Fine Arts.
- Mariama J. Lockington, research administrative coordinator in the UK College of Education.
- Derrick Ramsey, UK alumnus and former UK and professional football player.
- Erik Reece, UK English professor.
- Deirdre A. Scaggs, UK associate dean for research and discovery and director of the Wendell H. Ford Public Policy Research Center.
- Nathan L. Vanderford, UK associate professor in the Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology and director of the Appalachian Career Training in Oncology Program.
- Frank X Walker, UK English professor and former Kentucky Poet Laureate.
- Crystal Wilkinson, UK English professor, Bush-Holbrook Endowed Professor and director of the Division of Creative Writing, and former Kentucky Poet Laureate.
For a full listing of events and information, visit https://kybookfestival.org.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.