Concord, Massachusetts
Two weeks of talks, readings, and discussions celebrating the written and the spoken word.
Thomas Frank
Eric Foner
Lois Lowry
Junot Diaz
How You Can Participate
- Attend: Most events are free. All events are open to the public. Events that require a ticket are so indicated and include information about how and where to obtain tickets.
- Donate: The festival is produced by a non-profit foundation and depends greatly on individual support. Tax deductible donations in any amount are encouraged and can be made online.
- Sponsor: Corporate sponsorship is welcomed and is available. For information please .
Concord Festival of Authors is funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council,
a stage agency
Major Sponsors:
Events - 2012
J. Courtney Sullivan will talk about her bestselling novels Commencement and Maine. Seating is limited RSVP recommended (978-369-5760.
WHO: J. Courtney Sullivan
WHEN: Thursday, October 18 at 6:00pm
WHERE: Lyn Evans Potpourri Designs
The author of Pity the Billionaire: The Hard-Times Swindle and the Unlikely Comeback of the Right takes a sharp and sardonic look at how the worst economy since the 1930s brought about yet another conservative revival.
WHO: Thomas Frank
WHEN: Thursday, October 18 at 7:30pm
WHERE: Trinity Episcopal Church
It's all things Animal as Barefoot Books welcomes two wonderful Independent Readers that offer age-appropriate language to help young readers discover the pleasure of reading along. Traditional, multicultural tales offer early readers simple sentences, carefully chosen vocabulary and exciting storylines. Related arts & crafts, discounted animal pottery painting and animal face painting. Ages 2-8. Pottery discounted for participants; small fee for craft.
WHO:
WHEN: Saturday, October 20 at 2:30pm
WHERE: Barefoot Books
The 2012 Ruth Ratner Miller Award (Tickets: Adults $15, Students Free)
The annual Ruth Ratner Miller Award for Excellence in American History will be presented by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library to Eric Foner, DeWitt Clinton Professor of History at Columbia University. Tickets are available at the Concord Library, 129 Main Street, and the Concord Bookshop, 65 Main Street.
WHO: Eric Foner
WHEN: Saturday, October 20 at 7:30pm
WHERE: Concord Free Public Library
Medical Lives of Great Writers 
An illumination of the medical mysteries surrounding ten of the English language's most heralded writers.
WHO: John J. Ross, M.D.
WHEN: Sunday, October 21 at 3:00pm
WHERE: Concord Bookshop
A physician discusses his wartime work in Vietnam and his forty-year struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
WHEN: Monday, October 22 at 7:30pm
WHERE: Emerson Hospital, Cheney Conference Room
Cookies with American Girl Author Jacqueline Dembar Greene: The Story Behind the Rebecca Books 
The author of the American Girl's Rebecca Rubin books will talk about the personal stories and historical events that helped her create the series. This event is geared to readers ages 8 and older, however, all ages are welcome.
WHEN: Tuesday, October 23 at 7:00pm
WHERE: Nashoba Brooks School
Health educator and nutrition counselor discusses his step-by-step intestinal regeneration program.
WHO: Russell Mariani
WHEN: Wednesday, October 24 at 7:00pm
WHERE: Debra’s Natural Gourmet
Tracing Thoreau’s Last Journey 
The story of Thoreau's 1861 "Journey West" with Horace Mann, Jr., which took the duo from Massachusetts to Minnesota and back. Space is limited. R.S.V.P. to 978-451-0300 or .
WHEN: Wednesday, October 24 at 7:00pm
WHERE: Thoreau Farm
The bestselling author and master storyteller traces the fascinating and engrossing history of America's first encounters with China.
WHO: Eric Jay Dolin
WHEN: Wednesday, October 24 at 7:30pm
WHERE: Concord Museum
A Novel Look at Britain’s Queen 
William Kuhn reads from and discusses his wonderfully inventive romp into the mind of the grand matriarch of Britain's Royal Family.
WHO: William Kuhn
WHEN: Thursday, October 25 at 7:00pm
WHERE: Concord Bookshop
A world-renowned authority on religious education offers a hopeful road map for reenergizing the faith community and family.
WHO: Thomas Groome
WHEN: Thursday, October 25 at 7:30pm
WHERE: Holy Family Parish
Three mystery writers discuss and read from their latest novels.
WHO: Kate Flora, William Landay, Margaret McLean - Brian McGrory, Moderator
WHEN: Friday, October 26 at 7:30pm
WHERE: Concord Free Public Library
Hit the mark with Barefoot Books' original version of the classic tale, Robin Hood. Celebrate this new addition to Barefoot's Independent Reader series. Share excerpts of this timeless collection of stories that follow Robin and his friends through their narrow escapes, their scrapes and triumphs, making them the stuff of legend. Then your Robin or Marian (ages 3+) can make fun, kid-friendly crafts and games inspired by these famous characters. $6 per child.
WHO:
WHEN: Saturday, October 27 at 3:00pm
WHERE: Barefoot Books
The 2012 Leslie Riedel Memorial Lecture for Young Readers 
A talk by Lois Lowry, two-time winner of the Newbery Medal and author of more than 30 books for young readers. This memorial lecture honors Leslie Riedel, librarian, bookseller, educator, and mother who imparted the love of reading to many. Reservations are required and can be made at http://www.concordlibrary.org after October 1st. SOLD OUT
WHO: Lois Lowry
WHEN: Saturday, October 27 at 7:00pm
WHERE: Concord Free Public Library
B.A. Shapiro fictionalizes the Gardner Museum heist in a literary thriller that spans three centuries of forgers, art thieves, and obsessive collectors.
WHO: B.A. Shapiro
WHEN: Sunday, October 28 at 3:00pm
WHERE: Concord Bookshop
Three emerging fiction writers discuss and read from their work.
WHO: Andrew Goldstein, Madeline Miller, Justin Torres - Nancye Tuttle, Moderator
WHEN: Sunday, October 28 at 3:00pm
WHERE: Fowler Library
The Concord Poetry Center (http://www.concordpoetry.org) hosts three poets reading from their latest work.
WHO: Andrea Cohen, Steven Cramer, Barbara Lydecker Crane
WHEN: Sunday, October 28 at 3:00pm
WHERE: Emerson Umbrella
Informative stories and leading-edge medical information specifically for women over 50 to help reach weight and fitness goals and have fun doing it.
WHO: Suzanne Koven, MD
WHEN: Tuesday, October 30 at 7:30pm
WHERE: The Thoreau Club
How to Write and Publish Fiction
A panel of accomplished fiction writers share their experiences and advice for successfully developing fiction ideas and getting them published. Short stories, novels, and screenwriting will be covered.
WHO: Drew Yanno, Elena Petricone, Ken Lizotte, Anne Ipsen, Gail Provost Stockwell - Ken Lizotte, Moderator
WHEN: Wednesday, October 31 at 7:30pm
WHERE: Kerem Shalom
Silent Spring at 50: An Evening in Celebration of Rachel Carson (POSTPONED UNTIL THE SPRING 2013) 
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL THE SPRING 2013 (date to be determined). Please email to receive information about the new event.
WHO:
WHEN: Thursday, November 01 at 7:30pm
WHERE: The Thoreau Institute at Walden Woods
Breakfast with the Authors 2012 (Tickets $20) (SOLD OUT)
Three authors discuss and read from their latest work. Tickets $20, available at Concord Bookshop and Barrow Bookstore. SOLD OUT
WHO: Junot Diaz, Larry Tye, Megan Mayhew Bergman - Suzanne Koven, Moderator
WHEN: Saturday, November 03 at 8:00am
WHERE: Concord’s Colonial Inn
Barefoot Theatre: Little Red Riding Hood 
What big eyes YOU'LL have when you see and hear this newly released, lively update to the familiar favorite, Little Red Riding Hood. Those (age 4+) who are truly intrepid—undaunted by wolves in dark forests—are invited at 2pm to Barefoot Theatre, an improv theatre group that will read from this wonderful new book, picking characters, donning costumes, preparing props and rehearsing their lines. At 3pm everyone is welcome to watch this production, followed by a Fairy Tales story time. Free to all. Pre-registration (978-369-1770) for 2pm Barefoot Theatre strongly recommended.
WHO:
WHEN: Saturday, November 03 at 2:00pm
WHERE: Barefoot Books
How a Community of Writers Self-Published a Book of Essays, Stories, and Poems 
Contributors to The Ice Cream Stand & Other Stories and Poems will talk about how they came together with a goal of learning to write creative prose and produced a collection of heartfelt, humorous, and inspirational stories, essays, and poems.
WHO: Mindy Pollack-Fusi, Rhona Barlevy, Linda Christen, Lea Ann Knight - Mindy Pollack-Fusi, Moderator
WHEN: Saturday, November 03 at 3:00pm
WHERE: Fowler Library
Dispatches from a Literary Critic 
New Yorker writer presents a far-ranging collection of essays which comprise a panoramic look at the modern novel.
WHO: James Wood
WHEN: Sunday, November 04 at 3:00pm
WHERE: Concord Bookshop