By Stella Feenstra, Digital Social Media & Advertising Editor
Poster Design by Riley Gomez and Brinley Lopes; Artwork by Fayth Snyder
Six students in the Susquehanna University’s build collaborative program are ready to present their culminating project to the Selinsgrove community.
The Selinsgrove Gelnett Book Festival (SGBF) will take place on April 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in downtown Selinsgrove.
The SGBF team has worked in tandem with the Rudy Gelnett Memorial Library to host a variety of events and activities throughout town, including panels with local authors, a pop-up bookstore, vendor booths, children’s crafts, and an end-of-day celebration.
In the words of Brinley Lopes, co-leader of the SGBF promotions team: “You don’t have to be a dedicated reader to come hang out!”
All are welcome to attend the festival for free. There will be optional food, beverages, and merchandise for purchase.
Events will be held within walking distance of each other, and maps will be provided.
Throughout the day, panels will be held in the Susquehanna Downtown Center, at 111 N. Market St., Selinsgrove, PA.
In session one, mystery and thriller author, Oliver C. Seneca, and cozy mystery author, J.T. Kunkel will present a panel at 10:00 a.m. on “Storytelling and Worldbuilding.”
Session two will feature self-help and entrepreneurship author, Emma Fleck, and poet and essayist, Marjorie Maddox, with a panel on “Writing and Audience” beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Panels will be moderated by AJ Johnson, the SGBF’s scribe and in-house specialist. Johnson shared that the presentations are marketed towards those interested in reading and writing at any level.
The downtown center will also host Blooming Books, a pop-up bookstore run entirely by SU students with over 500 new and gently used books, in a variety of genres, with prices ranging from $1 to $10.
Blooming Books will also be participating in Selinsgrove’s annual Chocolate Stroll, so make sure to stop by their booth for a sweet treat!
Children’s programming will be located on the first floor of the Rudy Gelnett Memorial Library, located on 1 N. Market St., with an all-day activity center, hosted by The Creative Space.
Local children’s authors Ellen Ramsey and Judi Jessick are also hosting a story time in the library from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The following local authors will also be featured in the festival:
- Children’s author, Ellen Ramsey
- Poet and essayist, Marjorie Maddox
- New adult writer, Tory Gates
- Christian fiction author, Elle E Kay
- Children’s author, Judi Jessick
- Historical fiction and fantasy writer, Quenby Olson
- Poet, Justin Strawser
- Children’s author, Heidi Scarano
- Young adult writer, L.E. Delano
- Speculative fiction writer, Patrick Thomas Henry
- Romantasy author, Julie Zantopoulus
- Self-help and entrepreneurship author, Emma Fleck
- Children’s and middle grade author, Lee Y. Miao
Authors will be set up at tables surrounding the Selinsgrove Commons, just outside the front of the library, where readers will have a chance to mingle, and purchase books and other related goodies.
Riley Gomez, co-leader of the promotions team, will be available at the center of the Commons to answer any questions throughout the day. He will also be working with WQSU to provide music.
The festival will conclude in the Selinsgrove Commons with a celebration, where the SGBF team will “thank [authors], vendors and sponsors, and have some small food options.”
To all the authors attending the event, author outreach coordinator, Kathryn Douglas stated: “I’m excited to help make their experience at the festival the best it can be!”
Caitlyn Wierzbicki, sponsor and vendor management, also shared the exciting list of additional vendors, including Susquehanna University Press, Secret Shelf, Mondragon Books, Jenna Miller Photography, and Bright Eye Brew.
Additionally, sponsors include Weis Markets, Cole’s Hardware, LB Water, The Creative Space, The Original Italian Pizza (OIP), and Graci’s Flowers and Gifts.
Event coordinator, Brianna Luby, encourages attendees to remember that the festival “is really an all-day event…you can come for a little bit, grab lunch, come back, anything.”
With all that said, if you are looking for something to do this Saturday, the SGBF is sure to be an exciting day out in the town, and the festival team is looking forward to seeing you!
For more information, please see The Selinsgrove Gelnett Book Festival or follow @sgbookfest on Instagram.