Famous local authors, storytellers and many residents of Baton Rouge met Saturday in tents outside the State Library of Louisiana and the Louisiana State Capitol for the first Louisiana Book Festival.
Activities such as face painting and storytelling were highlights of the day. Festival workers also encouraged children to sit down with local children’s book authors to enjoy great stories.
People visited tents to purchase books and local authors signed them. Writers held book talks in the Capitol while publishing experts discussed the processes of paper-making and bookbinding.
In addition, performances took place throughout the day, including singing and instruments. Music and food entertained the crowds as they explored different types of writing genre in books.
“This event is held to enhance early reading with Louisiana’s authors,” said Virginia Tyler, executive state librarian.
James Lee Burke, author of the recent book “Jolie Bon’s Bounce,” received the Louisiana Writer Award. He also signed his book and discussed his work with readers. Previous winners include Ernest Gaines and William Jay Smith.
Other authors from Louisiana also presented their works. Ernest Hill, author of three novels, discussed his work, saying Louisiana’s African-American culture always has been interesting.
“I have always been interested in Louisiana and its history, so I decided to write fiction stories about the African-American culture,” Hill said.
Another local writer, Robert Skinner, director of Xavier University Library and author of “Skin Deep, Blood Red,” also presented his books and signed them.
“I was never good at anything else, so I decided to try writing,” Skinner said. “I got encouragement and thought that this was something I could be good at.”
The event is important because it helps to show Louisiana’s heritage and culture, said Tom Jaques, state librarian.
“We thing it important to recognize Louisiana’s writers, authors and storytellers,” Jacques said. “This is the first year, but we hope to make it an annual event.”