SCHEDULE

It’s a Drag Queen Story Hour! Join D’Manda Martini for a read-aloud storytime of fun and inclusive children’s books.

A PANEL WITH JUSTINA IRELAND, K.M SZPARA, SARAH PINSKER, MODERATED BY KAREN OSBORNE

What makes Baltimore a tempting setting for science fiction and fantasy? Hear from acclaimed authors Justina Ireland (Dread Nation, Deathless Divide), Sarah Pinsker (Sooner or Later Everything Falls Into the Sea, A Song For a New Day, We Are Satellites), and K.M. Szpara (Docile, First, Become Ashes) as they discuss writing in and about the city.

11:30 AM | PANEL DISCUSSION

A LAUNCH PARTY PANEL, WITH CARA OBER AND CONTRIBUTORS

Editor and Publisher of BMore Art Cara Ober and magazine contributors introduce the brand new Issue 13: Collect.

1 PM | PANEL DISCUSSION

Megha Majumdar (A Burning) and Jung Yun (O Beautiful) come together to discuss their latest novels, writing unique political landscapes, and what it means to be an “outsider” in a divided country. Moderated by Jeannie Vanasco (Things We Didn’t Talk About When I Was A Girl).

Join a conversation between two local masters of the short story. Danielle Evans, author of The Office of Historical Corrections and Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self, joins Ashleigh Bryant Phillips, author of Sleepovers, to chat about writing, reading, and teaching short fiction.

Hernan Diaz joins us to discuss his new book, Trust. One of the most anticipated books of the year, Trust is a puzzle box of competing narratives, spanning an entire century, and confronting head on the American myth of the self-made capitalist hero. Diaz’s first novel, In the Distance, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Barbara Bourland is the author of I’ll Eat When I’m Dead, Fake Like Me, and the upcoming The Force of Such Beauty.

Find joy in all things Tacky with the legendary Rax King! Rax will be in conversation with Baltimore’s own Maximillian Alvarez (The Real News) and Lyta Gold (Art for the End Times podcast) discussing all things tacky, tasteless, and otherwise delightful!

Grace Lavery discusses her new memoir, what it really means to transition, and being a trans woman in 21st century America. She will be in conversation with writer and artist Rahne Alexander (Heretic to Housewife).

Local photographers Sydney Allen, JM Giordano, and Micah Wood talk with photographer and publisher of Saint Lucy Books about capturing a city that refuses to stand still, from protests to celebrations and everything in between.

Come along for a playful, interactive, musical and fantastical hour of imagination and song!

R. Eric Thomas introduces his debut YA novel, Kings of B’More. Two Black queer best friends face their last day together with an epic journey through Baltimore. Thomas is a television writer, playwright, and author of Here for It, Or How to Save Your Soul in America. He will be in conversation with Lane Clarke, author of the upcoming Love Times Infinity.

WITH BRANDON SODERBERG, DHARNA NOOR AND LISA SNOWDEN, MODERATED BY BAYNARD WOODS

What is the future of journalism in Baltimore? Former editor of the Baltimore City Paper Brandon Soderberg (I Got A Monster) talks to Dharna Noor (Boston Globe) and Lisa Snowden (Baltimore Beat).

2:30 PM | AUTHOR TALK

Sefu Chikelu in conversation with Dr. Lawrence Jackson & Baynard Woods

Writer and activist Sefu Chikelu talks with local memoirists Dr. Lawrence Jackson (Shelter: A Black Tale of Homeland, Baltimore) and Baynard Woods (Inheritance: An Autobiography of Whiteness) about complicated histories, family legacies, and grappling with race in Baltimore and America.

The Black Butterfly: The Harmful Politics of Race and Space in Amerca by Dr. Lawrence Brown has had an impact far beyond the bookstore. Dr. Brown will chat with members of the community who were inspired by the book, and are continuing the work. With Myeasha Taylor and Skher Brown of the Black Butterfly Farm Academy at the Farm Alliance of Baltimore.

THE VOICES OF FOUR YOUNG POETS

DewMore Baltimore is a community-based organization dedicated to using art and community organizing as tools to increase community engagement in the greater Baltimore Community. We’re pleased to host four of their youth poets in a showcase to close out the festival!