Events
Event

Festival Preview Event: Nelson County, VA

March 18, 2023 5:30PM – 6:30PM

Local writers converge at Rapunzel’s Cafe and Bookstore for a fun night of poetry and prose, as well as creative writing prompts.

Event

The Turning Point: Shaping a Poetic Life

March 23, 2023 1PM – 2PM

Acclaimed Virginia-based poets Janine Joseph, Gregory Orr, and Kiki Petrosino take a look back at their lives and works.

Event

Furious Flower Poetry Hour

March 24, 2023 4PM – 5PM

Join past and present members of JMU’s Furious Flower Poetry Center for poetry readings and discussion.

Event

2023 Same Page Community Read

March 25, 2023 2PM – 3PM
Ticketed Event

We’re pleased to share that our 2023 Same Page featured book is Ross Gay’s “The Book of Delights.” Gay will be in conversation about this book and his most recent work, “Inciting Joy.”

Event

National Book Foundation Presents: An Afternoon with the National Book Awards

March 25, 2023 4PM – 5PM

John Keene (“Punks: New & Selected Poems”) and Robert Samuels & Toluse Olorunnipa (“His Name Is George Floyd: One Man’s Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice”) discuss how singular stories collectively shape history.

Event

Poets Across Genre

March 26, 2023 2PM – 3PM

In this panel, poets Quan Barry, Thorpe Moeckel, and Lisa Russ Spaar discuss their forays into prose.

Event

UVA MFA Alumni Reading

March 26, 2023 6PM – 7PM

Hear poets Celeste Lipkes (“Radium Girl”) and Samantha Thornhill (“The Animated Universe”) read their recent works.

Event

Festival Finale at Decipher Brewing

March 26, 2023 7PM – 8:30PM

To cap off the 2023 Virginia Festival of the Book, enjoy a drink with us at Decipher Brewing!

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