Many moons have passed since the fairer sex was granted admittance into intelligentsia circles. Once relegated solely to the realms of household drudgery, craft and the timeless art of arm candy, women today have shown themselves to be a force of words and wit within the literary world. And while I concede (and thus, likewise, cringe) that we females are indeed responsible for some of the most saccharine paperbacks known to publishing, the woman writer also has a great capability to add a level of depth to her work that echoes in fathoms unexplored by the male psyche. Or something like that. Regardless of semantics, women writers and readers are a populace to be reckoned with. Hit the University of Louisville’s Ekstrom Library this Saturday, May 16th, for the 6th annual Kentucky Women’s Book Festival and experience the zeal of the female bookworm for yourself.
With the doors opening at 9am, the Kentucky Women’s Book Festival will give curious minds access to a full line-up of author presentations and workshops, book sales and signings, as well as a keynote luncheon featuring novelist and poet, Mary Ann Taylor-Hall. The festival officially kicks off at 9:30am in the Ekstrom Library with refreshments and socializing prior to the inaugural session presented by Spalding University president, Tori Murden. Other writers and speakers throughout the day will include author of 2011’s highly-acclaimed novel, The Sisters, Nancy Jensen, Lambda Literary Award winner Julie Wade, LEO Weekly columnist Sara Havens, non-fictionist Glynis Ridley, archivist Sharon Receveur, poet Kiki Petrosino, memoirist Deanna O’Daniel and Kentucky Poet Laureate Maureen Morehead.
Sound like the ultimate book club? Presentations and discussions will begin at 10am with the final address – Maureen Morehead’s session – rounding out the day at 3:45pm. All listed events are free and open to the public with the exception of Mary Ann Taylor-Hall’s keynote luncheon, setting back interested minds a mere $16 for both lunch and literary nibbles. Celebrate the fair sex this weekend with a literary flair, and drop by UofL’s campus for a female fellowship of words.
Those interested in purchasing reservations for Taylor-Hall’s address can register today (the deadline) by calling the UofL’s Women’s Center at (502) 852-8976.
For more information visit the event site or call Robin Harris, KWBF co-chair at (502) 852-6083 or (502) 640-7471.
Image: Courtesy University of Louisville website www.louisville.edu
