A Huge Thank You!
After a 2 year hiatus, the 17th Annual Festival of Books was a magnificent community event with more books and more shoppers of all ages than ever before. We were so happy to open our doors to welcome you back.
We wish to thank those who donated and shopped, authors who spoke, attendees who listened and especially the scores of volunteers who received, arranged, sorted, hauled, shuttled, cooked, served, baked and welcomed hundreds of guests over Labor Day Weekend.
A very special thank you to our generous sponsors who helped to Get the Festival off the Ground! We couldn’t do it without all of you and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Upcoming Events And Activities
Annual Regional Juried Art Show
Saturdays & Sundays, 1:00-5:00pm
October 8-November 6
Deeper than the Skin. Thought provoking work in various media by over 20 regional artists. (Image credit: Joel Schiller) Learn more.
Opening Reception:
Deeper Than The Skin
Sunday, October 9, 4:00-6:00pm
Meet the artists of this thought provoking work. (Image credit: Rae Gilson) Learn more. 
Reggie Harris & Greg Greenway: Deeper Than The Skin
October 9, 2:00pm
A musical presentation on race performed by two talented musicians. Admission is free, registration required. Learn more.
Creative Nonfiction Writers Conference
October 19-23
A five-day intensive writing conference focused on both the craft and the business of writing essays, biography, memoir, and narrative nonfiction. Learn more.
Poetry & the Art of Paying Attention
6 Tuesdays: Oct. 25-Nov. 29
This workshop will explore the practice of poetry as a form of attentive presence. Participants will read and write poems that elevate the ordinary and render the inherent beauty in the fabric of daily life. Learn more.
Young Writers Contest Winners
Six prize winners were chosen from 22 entries to the 2022 competition. See the winners and read their work.
COVID-19 Safety Guidelines
To protect yourself and fellow attendees, please take note of the safety protocols for any event you are attending by visiting the event listing on this website.
The Academy has installed multiple Blueair HealthProtect 7470 air purifiers, and we have limited seating in our auditorium. We closely monitor the situation in Columbia County, as well as recommendations from health authorities, and will adjust our protocols as necessary.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Watch and Listen to PAST Programming
Dexter Palmer & Rishi Reddi
Discuss their works of historical fiction with Daphne Kalotay. Watch the video on our YouTube channel.
Peter Sis
Discusses his book Nicky and Vera- A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued, with Carl Atkins.
Watch the video.
Rick Rogers
Learn how to make Almas Pite, a delicious Hungarian apple pie.
In conversation with Madaline Sparks. Watch the interview.
Ayad Akhtar
Discusses Homeland Elegies and his fascinating career with Julie DeLisle. On our YouTube channel.
Russell Shorto
In conversation with David Highfill on his book Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob. Watch the interview.
Clare Mulley & Sonia Purnell
Two historians and authors whose books focus on remarkable women and their roles in WWII, will discuss their works with David Highfill, Festival co-chair. On our YouTube Channel.
"Nicky and Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued"
Reading and discussion of Peter Sis' book with Ann Gainer, storyteller & former librarian. On YouTube.
Michael Kupperman Discusses "All The Answers"
A graphic novel and moving memoir about his father. Brian Heater, a comics and tech writer-podcaster, joins the author in conversation. On YouTube.
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
Become a Member
We're dedicated to programs in a welcoming space for our Columbia County community and neighbors. Learn More
Spring/Summer 2022 Now Available
Lots in store for the upcoming season.
See the latest as well as past newsletters.
A "Home" of Our Own
To keep you all in the loop, we now have our own YouTube channel. Please subscribe, to see what has, and is, going on at the Academy!
