Sedona has a world-class film festival, jazz festival and arts festival, along with a great many other wonderful events that are held on virtually every weekend throughout the year, in keeping with its wealth of cultural assets and individuals.

But it has never had a book festival – until now.

It is my distinct pleasure to let you know that the first ever Sedona Book Festival will become a reality this year on October 2 and 3, right here in the back of the parking lot of our bookstore.

We are still in the planning process and will have many more details to announce in the coming weeks, but here is what we have so far.

The Sedona Book Festival will spotlight Southwest authors and celebrate the pleasures of reading, writing and books for all ages. It will begin with a fund-raising Southwest BBQ on Friday evening, October 2, benefiting the Verde Valley Care Givers.

Keynote speakers will be Barbara Peters and Robert Rosenwald, founders of The Poisoned Pen Bookstore and The Poisoned Pen Press, respectively, in Scottsdale, AZ, discussing "Trends in the World of Publishing."

Honored guests of the Festival will be two award-winning local authors who have contributed greatly to the literary culture of Sedona - James Bishop, Jr., and Kris Neri. Bishop is a freelance writer, editor and creative writing instructor and author of the first biography of Cactus Ed Abbey. Neri is the multi-award-winning author of the Tracy Eaton mystery series, as well as an instructor for the prestigious Writers Program of the UCLA Extension School.

On Saturday, October 3, the Festival will run from 9am to 5 pm. Admission is free. It will include author booths, author presentations and readings, story-time for kids, live music and more!

Co-organizers of the festival are Barbara Littrell of the Verde Valley Care Givers, and myself. Much more to come…Click for more information and regular updates.