Bestselling author and former Georgia politician Stacey Abrams will appear in the second Heartland Book Festival on Saturday, Oct. 12, at the downtown Kansas City Public Library.
Abrams has written five New York Times bestsellers, including “Our Time Is Now,” “Lead From the Outside” and the children’s book “Stacey’s Extraordinary Words,” as well as eight romantic suspense novels. She also served 11 years in the Georgia House of Representatives, lost two campaigns for governor and became widely known for her efforts to advance voting rights.
Abrams will kick off the festival with a storytime at 9:15 a.m. Saturday, then will speak on “The Importance of Libraries” at 2:15 p.m., followed by a book signing.
Other guest authors will include Tommy Orange (“There There” and “Wandering Stars”), Sarah Chapelle (“Taylor Swift Style: Fashion Through the Eras”) and Pedro Martín (“Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir”). Martín was a Hallmark artist for 27 years.
The festival also will feature panel discussions, presentations, a vendor hall with local organizations and authors, a bookstore alley and children’s activities.
Here’s what you need to know if you plan to attend.
When and where will the Heartland Book Festival be held?
The festival will run 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Kansas City Public Library Central Library, 14 W. 10th St. The first event begins at 9:15 a.m.
How much does it cost?
Admission is free. Online RSVPs are required for speakers, panel discussions and workshops. Some events are filled, but you can add your name to waiting lists. Also, some attendees without tickets might be admitted if there are empty seats or if standing room is available.
Where can I park?
Parking at the Central Library parking garage is free with ticket validation inside the library. The entrance to the garage is on Baltimore Avenue between 9th and 10th streets.
Who all will be at the festival?
▪ Author and politician Stacey Abrams (“Our Time Is Now,” “Lead From the Outside” and “Stacey’s Extraordinary Words”)
▪ Fiction writer Tommy Orange (“There There” and “Wandering Stars”)
▪ Author and illustrator Pedro Martín (“Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir”)
▪ Journalist and blogger Sarah Chapelle (“Taylor Swift Style: Fashion Through the Eras”)
▪ Librarian Mychal Threets, who has more than 2 million social media followers
▪ Memorist Deborah Jackson Taffa (“Whiskey Tender”)
▪ Food writer Liz Cook, a freelance food writer and former Pitch restaurant critic
▪ Podcast producer Melody Rowell (“Strict Scrutiny” and “The Culture Study”)
▪ Catherine Browder (“The Manning Girl”)
▪ Fiction writer Kenan Orhan (“I Am My Country and Other Stories”)
▪ Essayist Dawn Downey (“Stumbling Toward the Buddha”)
▪ Poet Kate Brady Murr
▪ Audio producer Angela Elam (“New Letters on the Air”)
Other things to know
▪ Some library services will not be available during the festival, including public access to computers, printing and microfilm.
▪ Since the KC Streetcar is currently not running , a bus labeled “Streetcar Link” will provide free transportation to the library. It will stop about a block away.
▪ Several programs will be livestreamed on the Kansas City Public Library’s YouTube channel .
Where can I get more information?
www.heartlandbookfest.org
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