Booklovers festival in Richmond Oct. 20

Brandylane Publishers’ first annual RVA Booklovers’ Festival will take place Oct. 20 at Jefferson Park in Richmond, VA, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to a news release.

Brandylane said it is inviting authors of all genres and food and bookish craft vendors from across Virginia to participate in the Festival, which a news release said “currently has over 4,000 people interested on Facebook.”

Booksellers and individual authors will offer books for sale, three stages will feature a variety of presentations, and a children’s area will offer readings and activities for kids.

“Although we are launching and hosting the festival, and Brandylane and Belle Isle Books’ authors are participating, the event is not just for our authors,” according to Brandylane president, Robert Pruett. “We want this annual event to represent authors from across the state. We also want vendors of excellent local Richmond cuisine, and literary-inspired crafters from around the state to join us this October 20th to support literacy.”

The Festival team encourages authors and vendors to submit their applications by the end of business this Friday, August 31, to take advantage of the earlybird booth pricing of $125.

Brandylane has teamed up with VCU’s School of Education, Richmond Public Library, Library of Virginia, the Museum of History and Culture, Fountain Bookstore, and others to support local literacy.

All net proceeds from the event will be donated to The READ Center and ExCELL. The READ Center is an RVA-based non-profit organization that strives to develop basic reading, communication, and health literacy skills in adults with low-level literacy. ExCELL is a childhood education program that connects teachers, families, and kids to promote early childhood literacy.

This event is free and open to the public. Those interested in participating in the Festival—as an author, literary crafter, vendor of local cuisine, event volunteer, or sponsor—are encouraged to visit the RVA Booklovers’ Festival website or email the Festival team.

For more information, visit http://www.rvabookloversfestival.com.