Books, authors, drama and fun: Literary Festival is a success

MILLBROOK — With more than 40 authors and illustrators participating, and more than 300 people attending on Saturday, May 18, the 11th Annual Millbrook Literary Festival was once again a great success. 

The Young Writers Award and the Scott Meyer Award, given out each year to three authors, were handed out. This year the Scott Meyer Award, for an unpublished children’s book, was awarded to Laurie Treacy for “The Christmas Coquie.”  Caroline Nastro and Linda Campbell were runners up for their short stories. The awards were handed out by Iza Trapani, herself a well-known author and illustrator.

Workshops and discussions took place throughout the day, with a conversation with Dani Schapiro, New York Times bestselling author. A Life of Mystery, and how to write them, was shared by Maxine Paetro, who has co-authored 27 books with famous novelist James Patterson. 

Alisa Kwitney and Jean Michel talked about horror and comics, and did a dramatic reading with Deborah Coconis and Jeremy Fulton. Kwitney is a writer of horror stories, most recently “Cadaver & Queen,” and Michel owns a comic book business in Rhinebeck.

Writing for children was a favorite topic, with authors Karen Kaufman Orloff and Della Rose Ferreri.

Andrea Barnett and Akiko Busch  talked about women who forged careers in various fields with little support or academic training, including Jane Goodall and Rachel Carson. 

Three debut novelists, Dana Czapnik (“The Falconer”), Joanne Ramos (“The Farm”) and Laura Sims (“Looker”), discussed portraying powerful protagonists in literature.

Gilbert Ford, illustrator, showed children how to design a book cover.  

A special treat for young girls was the introduction to American Girl 2019 by author Jennifer Castle. Blaire Wilson, the newest American girl, is an aspiring chef who lives on a Hudson Valley farm. 

Reaching Across Generations included a group from The Fountains retirement community and Millbrook High School students who have formed a book club  during the past few months. 

Marian Grudko talked about Jemima Puddleduck, a children’s favorite. Karen Kaufman Orloff, Della Rose Ferreri, Tania Guarino, Catherine Ciocci and Raven Howell told of the events and humor in their children’s  books.

Authors had tables on the library lawn, where they signed and sold books.

The day finished with a gala reception in honor of the literary festival. The festival is a yearlong effort by a great many people, whose names can be found at www.millbrookliteraryfestival.org. Among those who were thanked were the Dyson Foundation, the Weeden Foundation, the Tribute Garden Foundations, Arts Mid-Hudson, Bank of Millbrook, Stewart’s Shops, Hudson Valley Parent, Merritt Bookstore, Northern Dutchess News, Fountain Press, Friends of the Millbrook Library and the Millbrook Library.