BOOKMARKS PRESENTS TAVIS SMILEY, AUTHOR OF MY JOURNEY WITH MAYA, IN A BOOK RELEASE CELEBRATION

"Bookmarks presents talk show host, political commentator, and bestselling author Tavis Smiley for a presentation, reading, and signing of his new book My Journey with Maya, a memoir and remembrance of 25 years of friendship with Dr. Maya Angelou. The book release celebration will be held on Thursday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. at SECCA, 750 Marguerite Dr, Winston-Salem, NC. This event is sponsored with support from SECCA, 88.5 FM WFDD, The Winston-Salem Journal, and 90.5 FM WSNC.

From his celebrated conversations with world figures to his work to inspire the next generation of leaders, Tavis Smiley—broadcaster, New York Times bestselling author, publisher, advocate, and philanthropist—has emerged as an outstanding voice for change. Smiley is currently the host of the late-night television talk show Tavis Smiley on PBS, as well as The Tavis Smiley Show and Smiley & West both from Public Radio International (PRI), and the daily radio program, Tavis Talks, on the Tavis Smiley Network (TSN).

Smiley is the author of 16 books including Death of a King, his 2014 bestselling history of the 12 months leading up to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination and a memoir, What I Know for Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America, which became a New York Times bestseller. He is the editor of Covenant with Black America, the first nonfiction book by a black-owned publisher to reach #1 on The New York Times bestseller list.

Smiley is the presenter and creative force behind “AMERICA I AM: The African American Imprint”, a traveling museum exhibition, which toured the country for four years celebrating the extraordinary impact of African-American contributions to our nation and the world, as told through rare artifacts, memorabilia, and multimedia. He is also the founder of the Tavis Smiley Foundation, which has reached more than 6,000 young people through its Youth to Leaders training workshops and conferences.

Smiley’s achievements have earned him numerous awards and honorary doctorate degrees, including one from his alma mater, Indiana University. Smiley is the recipient of the prestigious Du Bois Medal from Harvard University and the 2009 Interdependence Day Prize from Demos in Istanbul, Turkey. TIME magazine honored Smiley in 2009 as one of “The World’s 100 Most Influential People.” In 2013, Smiley celebrated 10 years on PBS, and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced that Smiley will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this year.

Admission is by ticket only. Tickets are available at bookmarksnc.org or by calling 336-747-1471.

Ticket prices are listed below and include sales tax. The event is expected to sell out, so please purchase your tickets ahead of time. Tickets will probably not be available at the door.

$15 for a general admission ticket for the event, followed by a book signing and reception. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Program begins at 7:30 p.m.

$32 for a general admission ticket and a hardback copy of My Journey with Maya. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Program begins at 7:30 p.m.

$75 for a premier admission ticket, which includes reserved premier seating at the 7:30 p.m. event and an intimate private reception with Tavis Smiley beginning at 6 p.m. featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres by California Fresh Catering, wines by Raffaldini Vineyards, a hardback copy of My Journey with Maya, and a book signing. ($15.00 is tax deductible). Doors open at 5:45 p.m.

Bookmarks is a literary arts nonprofit organization that engages, inspires, and connects readers with authors. This is achieved through the largest annual free book festival in North Carolina; Triad-based author talks; and the Authors in Schools program, which reaches 5,000 students annually. Please visit bookmarksnc.org for more information."

- A Press Release

Three Winston-Salem Arts and Cultural Groups Present “Art for the Holidays”

Event starting Friday, December 5, promotes

books, arts and crafts as unique holiday gifts

"Three Winston-Salem arts and cultural organizations have joined forces this year under the banner, “Art for the Holidays,” to promote books, arts and crafts as unique, affordable holiday gifts.  Bookmarks, Associated Artists, and Sawtooth School for Visual Art are collaborating on “Art for the Holidays” that begins Friday, December 5, at 10:00 a.m. in the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts with the launch of the 25th annual Deck the Halls arts and fine crafts sale -- a tradition for many Winston-Salem holiday shoppers.

Beginning at 4:00 p.m. and running until 8:00 p.m. on the same day, Bookmarks will offer books and book crafts by local vendors and artists. Persons attending Bookmarks “Holiday Bazaar” in Reynolds Place at the Rhodes Center may purchase signed first editions, handmade crafts including cards, handmade journals, and artwork, as well as books for persons from preschool age to grandparents.  Vendors of handmade journals, pens, cards, bookshelves, bookends, artwork surrounding books and reading, etc. are still needed for this event.  Additional information is available at www.bookmarksnc.org/event.

At 5:00 p.m., Associated Artists will host the opening reception for its “100 - The More the Merrier” exhibition in the Womble Carlyle Gallery.  This exhibit features original art works that are priced at no more than $100.   The exhibition will run through January 4, 2015.

Also featured at 5 p.m. is a special holiday treat co-sponsored by Downtown Winston Salem Partnership and The Arts Council who are providing entertainment for holiday shoppers with the inclusion of TubaChristmas.  This group of 15 local tuba enthusiasts, directed by Matt Ransom, will greet visitors to Art for the Holidays with holiday tunes between 5: 00 and 6:00 p.m.

The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County has assisted in coordinating the three separate events into a unique local shopping opportunity. “More and more, we are seeing arts organizations in Winston-Salem collaborate and with great success.  We are, in fact, an arts community, and this is an exciting trend – one which we are encouraging and looking for ways to facilitate,” said Jim Sparrow, President and CEO of The Arts Council. 

All events will be in the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts and are free and open to the public.  The Milton Rhodes Center is located at 251 N. Spruce Street in downtown Winston-Salem.  Parking is available for a modest fee in The Arts Council parking lot directly across from the Milton Rhodes Center, on street, and in nearby parking decks.

Winston-Salem’s robust arts community accounts in large part for the recognition it continues to receive as a great place to live, work and play.  The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County enriches the lives of area residents every day. It raises funds and advocates for the arts, sponsors events in conjunction with other arts organizations, promotes and funds arts education, creates cultural opportunities, develops social capital and aids economic development.  The Arts Council has made a total of 76 grants totaling $1,845,000 for 2015.  Organizational Support Grants, $1,615,000; Wells Fargo Arts-In-Education Grants, $100,000; Duke Energy Regional Artist Grants, $30,000; Innovative Project Grants, $100,000."

- A Press Release

BOOKMARKS PRESENTS CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED AUTHOR JASON MOTT

"Bookmarks will present Jason Mott in a reading and discussion of his newest novel, The Wonder of All Things on Tuesday, October 28 at 7 p.m. at Hanesbrands Theatre, 209 North Spruce Street, Winston-Salem. This program is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase from Bookmarks with proceeds benefitting their Authors in Schools program. A booksigning will follow the presentation.

From critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling author Jason Mott comes a spellbinding tale of love, sacrifice and the power of miracles. At an air show in a small town, a plane crashes into a crowd of spectators, killing and injuring dozens. When the dust clears, Ava, a 13 year old girl, is found huddled with her best friend, Wash. He is injured and bleeding, and when Ava places her hands over him, his wounds miraculously disappear.

Mott is the author of The Returned, a novel that has been adapted to the hit ABC television drama “Resurrection” starring Omar Epps, now in its second season. Mott appeared at the 2013 Bookmarks Festival and will revisit Winston-Salem for this release.

For additional information about the event, call 336-747-1471, email info@bookmarksnc.org or visit bookmarksnc.org.

Bookmarks is a literary arts nonprofit organization that engages, inspires, and connects readers with authors. This is achieved through the largest annual free book festival in North Carolina; Triad-based author talks; and the Authors in Schools program, which reaches 5,000 students annually. Visit bookmarksnc.org for more information."

- A Press Release

BOOKMARKS ANNOUNCES AUTHOR LINEUP FOR 2014 FESTIVAL OF BOOKS AND AUTHORS

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (July 23, 2014) Bookmarks announced their author lineup for the 2014 Festival of Books and Authors at a Tenth Anniversary Preface Party and Fundraiser held at Old Salem Visitor Center on Friday, July 18.

The Keynote Opening Night Speaker for the Festival will be James Patterson, who holds the Guinness record for the most #1 New York Times bestsellers of any author. He will speak on Thursday, September 4 at 6 p.m. at Reynolds Auditorium at 301 N. Hawthorne Road in Winston-Salem. This event will jumpstart the weekend, which will include the tenth Festival on Saturday, September 6 as well as additional opportunities to meet and talk with authors on Friday and Sunday. The Festival will be held in a new location this year: the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts and the surrounding area on Spruce Street in downtown Winston-Salem. This year’s list of authors is sure to impress; they have written a cumulative 150 New York Times bestsellers and are winners of prestigious awards such as the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the Coretta Scott King Honor Award, among many others.

The free Festival on September 6 will feature a Storybook Parade, a Spanish and English Storytime, and a Poetry Corner with Open Mic slots for poets of all ages. Forty authors will give presentations including: Pulitzer Prize-winning author Scott Berg, who will present his new biography on President Woodrow Wilson; Wake Forest University graduates Emily Giffin, who will speak about her sixth bestseller, The One & Only, which has just topped The New York Times bestseller list, and L.M. Elliott,author of several award-winning historical middle grade novels and a Battle of the Books pick; International bestselling Lev Grossman, author of the fantasy novel, The Magician’s Land, the third in his Magicians trilogy; National Geographic writer Jennifer Holland, author of Unlikely Heroes: 36 Inspiring Stories of Courage and Heart from the Animal Kingdom; Bestselling science writer Sam Kean, author of The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons: The History of the Human Brain as Revealed by True Stories of Trauma, Madness, and Recovery; Eric Litwin, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Pete the Cat picture books; Bestselling author of Under the Tuscan Sun, Frances Mayes, will speak about her own coming-of-age story, Under Magnolia: A Southern Memoir; Author, Musician and Screenwriter, James McBride will present his National Book Award-winning  novel, The Good Lord Bird, about American revolutionary John Brown; Coretta Scott King honor-winning author, G. Neri, who weaves his own diverse ethnicity into his stories about race relations in urban life, will present his new children’s bookHello, I’m Johnny Cash; and Edward Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway’s grandson and author/illustrator  will present Bad Apple's Perfect Day. Teen authors include, Maggie Stiefvater, author of Sinner, a companion book to the #1 New York Times bestselling Shiver trilogy, and Margaret Stohl, co-author of the Beautiful Creatures novels and author of Idols, in the Icons Series.

Friday’s ticketed events include an Eat & Greet with Lisa Leake, who will give a program at 10 a.m. at Knollwood Baptist Church about her book 100 Days of Real Food, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Rita Mae Brown  will participate in an Eat & Greet at the Old Salem Visitor Center at 11:30a.m.In addition, on Friday afternoon from 1-4 p.m., J.A. Jance will host a Workshop for Writers, which will be a chance for attendees to learn from a #1 New York Times bestselling author in an intimate setting. Sunday, September 7 will feature an Eat & Greet with Sandra Gutierrez at Mundo Global Tapas at noon. This event will be in Spanish and English and will feature lunch samplings from Gutierrez’s Latin-infused recipes. These events, in addition to James Patterson’s program, require tickets, which are available through bookmarksnc.org beginning on Monday, July 21 at 10 a.m.

The following is a list of the authors who will appear at the Saturday, September 6 Festival of Books (see attached document for author bios). Fiction authors: Rita Mae Brown, Emily Giffin, Lev Grossman, J.A. Jance, James McBride, Jen McConnel, Mary Alice Monroe, Robert Morgan, Tiphanie Yanique, and Morowa Yejide; Nonfiction writers: Karen Abbott, Scott Berg, James Grymes, Sandra Gutierrez, Jeremy Jones, Sam Kean, Lisa Leake, Frances Mayes, Rick Reilly, and Najla Said; Teen authors: Maggie Steifwater, Margaret Stohl, and Len Vlahos; Family Friendly authors: Megan E. Bryant, Doug Elliott, L.M. Elliott, Edward Hemingway, Jennifer Holland, Eric Litwin, Meg Medina (and teen), Mary Alice Monroe, G. Neri; Poets include: Joseph Bathanti, Terri Kirby Erikson, Terry Kennedy, and Joseph Mills.

Panel discussions will be held on topics such as: Bullying in Fiction; Publishing Today: Digital, Traditional and Indie; Southern Identity in Writing; Adaptations: Transforming Books into New Art; and The Future of the Book. Writing workshops about “Writing Your Own History” and “How to Hook Boys on Books” also will be featured.

Bookmarks is a literary arts nonprofit organization that engages, inspires, and connects readers with authors. This is achieved through the largest annual free book festival in North Carolina; Triad-based author talks; and the Authors in Schools program, which reaches 5,000 students annually. Visitbookmarksnc.org for a schedule and more information.

- A Press Release