Featured Authors Now Being
Added to Festival Line Up
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Our author recruitment team has been working hard through the summer and early fall to put together another stellar group of featured authors for the 2017 Gaithersburg Book Festival. Here’s a look at some of the first authors who have agreed to join us in May:
~ Fiction ~
 Matthew Betley is a former Marine officer of 10 years who was deployed to Djibouti after September 11 and Iraq prior to the surge. A New Jersey native who considers Cincinnati home, he graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with a B.A. in psychology and minors in political science and sociology. His latest book, “Oath of Honor,” was released in March 2016.
Jade Chang has covered arts and culture as a journalist and editor. She is the recipient of a Sundance Fellowship for Arts Journalism, the AIGA/Winterhouse Award for Design Criticism and the James D. Houston Memorial scholarship from the Squaw Valley Community of Writers. “The Wangs vs. The World” is her first book.
 Brigid Kemmerer is author of the Elementals series. She was born in Omaha, Neb., though her parents quickly moved her all over the United States, from the desert in Albuquerque, N.M., to the lakeside in Cleveland, and several stops in between. Brigid is now settled near Annapolis, Md., with her husband and children. Her latest book, “Letters to the Lost,” will be released in April 2017.
 David O. Stewart has been declared by The Washington Times as “one of our best new writers of historical mysteries.” His latest, “The Babe Ruth Deception,” explores the Roaring Twenties through the legendary Yankee slugger. Featuring the heroes of “The Lincoln Deception” and “The Wilson Deception," the novel explores an America of prohibition, gangsters, bootlegging, violent radicals and baseball greatness. David also has written four books of American history: “The Summer of 1787,” “Impeached,” “American Emperor” and “Madison’s Gift.”
~ Childrens ~
 Fred Bowen is the author of 22 action-packed books for kids, including his most recent, “Outside Shot.” He also has written a weekly sports column for kids in The Washington Post since 2000. Fred earned a degree in history from the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from George Washington University. He was a lawyer for 30 years before retiring to become a full-time children’s author. Fred lives in Silver Spring, Md., with his wife Peggy Jackson. They have two grown children. Their son, Liam, is the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator for the University of Maryland – Baltimore County (UMBC) and their daughter, Kerry, is studying to become a reading specialist.
Lisa Martin is a returning GBF author. She has worked as an educator and children’s poet. Lisa grew in up in New Orleans. She now lives in Charlottesville, Va. with her family, their two cats, Albert and T.J., and their sweet young dog Jackson, all of whom have made their way into her stories. “Anton and Cecil” is her first series for young readers, co-written with her aunt, Valerie Martin.
 Kate Messner is an award-winning author whose books for kids have been New York Times Notable, Junior Library Guild, IndieBound and Bank Street College of Education Best Books selections. Her forthcoming picture book, “Over and Under the Pond,” will be published in March 2017 and is illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. Her book “Over and Under the Snow” was an ABA Kids Indie Next Pick and NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students. Kate spent 15 years teaching middle school and earned National Board Certification in 2006. She lives on Lake Champlain with her family and loves spending time outside, whether it’s kayaking in the summer or skating on the frozen lake when the temperatures drop.
 Susan Stockdale is the author and illustrator of eight picture books, including “Stripes of All Types,” “Fabulous Fishes” and “Bring On the Birds.” Her books celebrate nature with exuberance and charm and have won awards from the American Library Association, Parents’ Choice, the National Science Teachers Association and Bank Street College of Education. Her latest book, “Fantastic Flowers,” spotlights flowers that resemble all kinds of things.
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Sponsors Sought for 2017 Festival
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Looking for a way to promote your company to some of the D.C. area’s best-read and most well-educated residents, while supporting a community that values the arts? If so, look no further than the Gaithersburg Book Festival, which will take place Saturday, May 20, 2017.
In its eighth year, the Festival regularly attracts more than 20,000 attendees who come to see best-selling and award-winning authors in every genre and enjoy of day of book signings, workshops, performances and a variety of activities for all ages.
The generosity of corporate partners, foundations and individual donors is a vital part of producing the festival. Together we are able to deliver the world-class event that our attendees have come to expect.
If you’re interested in supporting the Festival, we offer sponsorships to fit a variety of budgets. Looking for something different? We can tailor a sponsorship plan to fit your needs.
Learn more by visiting the GBF website or download a 2017 sponsorship opportunity form.
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One Month Left to Apply to
Become a 2017 Featured Author
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We are now accepting featured author applications for those interested in participating in solo presentations and panel discussions at the 2017 Festival. The deadline to submit is Saturday, December 31, 2016.
Download the application from the Festival website. Once completed, mail the application, and a galley or finished copy of the book you wish to promote, to:
Gaithersburg Book Festival Presenter
506 S. Frederick Avenue
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Please note that preference is given to books released in either hardback or paperback in the year since the previous festival (May of each year). Books must be available for sale as of the day of the Festival to be considered.
Applicants will be notified of participation decisions by the end of February 2017.
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H.S. Students - It's Time to Enter Our Short Story Contest
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High school students - Take advantage of Thanksgiving or Winter break and let your creativity flow for the Gaithersburg Book Festival's annual short story contest.
To participate in the short story contest, students must be enrolled in grades 9-12 at a public or private school, or be in a homeschool program, for the 2016-17 school year, and must reside in Maryland, Virginia or the District of Columbia. Stories cannot exceed 1,000 words and must be emailed to contest organizers as a Word document by midnight ET on Friday, February 17, 2017.
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8th Annual Gaithersburg Book
Festival
____
Saturday
May 20, 2017
____
On the Grounds of
City Hall in
Olde Towne Gaithersburg, Md.
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City Offers Write-In
Space During NaNoWriMo
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A couple weeks are left in November – which is also known as National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).
This year, the Gaithersburg Book Festival and the Gaithersburg Community Museum are teaming up to offer write-in space at the historic train station Saturdays, November 19 and 26 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
If you need a change of scenery to get those creative juices flowing, our location just might be the place for you!
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Let Yelp Know How Much
You Love the GBF
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If you had a great time at the 2016 Gaithersburg Book Festival, let the world know.
We're now on Yelp.
Write your review today!
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Stay in the Know for
#GBF 2017
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Share the GBF News with your friends, family and book club members so they can see what we're up to for 2017. Simply click the "Send to a Friend" button at the top of the newsletter to pass along this issue.
To become a regular GBF News subscriber, visit the Festival website and click "Join Our Mailing List."
Subscriber contact information will be used solely for the newsletter and will not be shared or sold to other parties.
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