BookFestOmahacelebrates the local literary scene
OMAHA – Book Fest Omaha will be out of this world. Nebraska native
Astronaut Clayton Anderson, author of "A Is for Astronaut," "Letters from Space" and "So You Want to Be an Astronaut," will headline the festival and sign books alongside dozens of local and regional authors.
The event will take place Saturday, Dec. 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the IBEW Hall, 13306 Stevens Street in Omaha. Admission is free, but a canned food donation is appreciated for the local food banks or purchase a book for a local school. Check out the website at www.BookFestOmaha.com.
Book Fest Omaha brings together readers, writers, and book lovers of all ages for a full day of literary celebration. Attendees can meet authors, discover new books, shop unique book-themed merchandise, and enjoy interactive activities throughout the venue.
Highlights of Book Fest Omaha include:
• Special appearance and book-signing by local hero and Astronaut Clayton Anderson Local and regional authors representing award-winning fiction, nonfiction, true crime, poetry, children's books, and memoir
• Book-themed merchandise vendors, including journals, bookmarks, apparel, and gifts
• Family-friendly activities and opportunities to connect with Omaha’s literary community “Book Fest Omaha celebrates the readers and storytellers who make this city a vibrant creative hub," said Lisa Pelto, author services guru and festival coordinator. “We’re thrilled to welcome Astronaut Anderson and a talented lineup of authors who represent the immense talent of Nebraska and the Midwest, and just in time for holiday gift giving. Other cities hold massive book festivals. Let's get this going here." Meet Anderson, who said from space, "When I expected to excitedly capture photos of my Ashland, Nebraska, I had everything prepped and ready to go. Equipment was strategically placed around the U.S. Lab module’s earth-facing window, cameras were Velcroed securely to the wall, with timers set to remind me when to get into position. Finding my home on earth — without all the wonderfully placed lines, borders, squiggly river italics, and large stars designating capital cities — was tougher than I imagined. But when I finally found success, and saw Nebraska rolling into view by virtue of a big gray splotch known as Omaha (and a smaller gray splotch further southwest called Lincoln), the south bend of the Platte River was the last valid vision I had. When I saw my home, nestled there where the river bent, the place where I was raised and where many of my family and friends still reside, I took not a single photo. I simply broke down and cried."
