2007 Wisconsin Book Festival

The 2007 Wisconsin Book Festival, Oct. 10-14, in Madison, has released the schedule of events. The event features dozens of speakers and workshops; a few are highlighted below.

The Dog Says How: NPR essayist, Kevin Kling
9 to 10:45 p.m. Wednesday, October 10; Cafe Montmartre

Many of the autobiographical tales in this first collection by NPR commentator Kevin Kling reflect a typical American boyhood in an idyllic Midwestern rural setting. But Kling conducts a far more in-depth exploration of the notion of happiness, reminding us that there are two sides to everything, including ourselves.

Michael Perry: Truck
7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, October 11; Borders Books (West Side)

Wisconsin author Michael Perry is an engaging storyteller with tales that are sure to make you laugh, and sometimes cry.

FOUND Magazine Event
9 to 11 p.m., Friday, October 12; Orpheum Theatre: Stage Door

For the sixth consecutive year, Davy Rothbart and the FOUND magazine crew return to Madison as one of the Wisconsin Book Festival's most popular, most irreverent, and most hilarious traditions. The man with a plan and a van, Rothbart collects the discard, detritus, and dross of people's lives--old postcards, shopping lists, break-up letters, erotic scribblings, receipts, warnings, hate mail, hidden photos--and gives them meaning. If you've never been to the Festival's FOUND magazine party, you've never really been to the Festival. (May contain some language and themes not suitable for young audiences.)

10th Annual Charlotte Zolotow Lecture Featuring Patricia MacLachlan
7:30 to 9 p.m., Thursday, October 11; Memorial Union Theater

Ms. MacLachlan is the critically acclaimed author of over twenty books for children and teens, including the Newbery-Award winning novel "Sarah, Plain and Tall" and its sequels.

Hop Open Mic: Hosted by First Wave, featuring the Midwest Youth Slam All-Stars
9 p.m. Friday, October 12; UW Memorial Union

A special kickoff celebration of Madison's freshest monthly open mic. This Spoken Word & Hip-Hop event is hosted by First Wave and DJ Pain1 and features the Midwest Youth Slam All-Stars. Come hear the youth poetry slam champions from Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago, Indianapolis, and the Twin Cities. Bring your own piece to share, get on the mic, and just bust!

The Romance Writer's Guide to Domestic Bliss: How to Snag the Hunk and Solve Your Problem in 200 Pages or Less
9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, October 13; Mount Horeb Public Library

A vampire hero has got a totally different perception of bliss than a 12th century knight. Romance writer Meagan Hatfield discusses the different genres of romantic fiction, and explores the lure of the romance novel for today's readers.

Apparent Tranquility: Looking Beneath the Surface
11 a.m. to noon, Saturday, October 13; Mount Horeb Public Library

Appearances can be deceiving. In fiction, the true story consists of so much more than the specifics spelled out in the action, description and dialogue. What's really going on? The meat of the story may lie in the subtext. Learn how to read (and write) between the lines by giving subtext the same amount of attention that you give to other story elements. Presented by Bob Curry.

Book Club Night Club -- A Gala Celebration: Featuring Jacquelyn Mitchard, Ellen Baker, and Judy Merrill Larsen
7 to 8:45 p.m. Saturday, October 13; Promenade Hall/Overture

Bring your whole book club to this event featuring three dynamic and eminently discussable new books, as well as their fabulous authors -- or, just stop by to see what the book club buzz is all about. Welcome Judy Merrill Larsen, whose much-praised debut "All the Numbers" deals with the aftermath of a tragedy that befalls an annual Wisconsin lakeside vacation, as well as Ellen Baker, whose superb first novel begins in small town Wisconsin during the conformist 1950s, then reaches back to span two world wars, unraveling the secrets woven through the generations of a family. Keynoting this gathering is Madison's own Oprah's Book Club author, Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of "The Deep End of the Ocean" and other favorites. In her brand new book, "Still Summer," Mitchard offers the suspenseful story of four women stranded at sea, pitted against nature and a cohort of contemporary pirates: not to be missed!

Rabbi Harold Kushner: Overcoming Life's Disappointments
4 to 5:45 p.m. Sunday, October 14; Orpheum Theatre: Main

When life does not unfold as planned, Rabbi Harold Kushner (author of "When Bad Things Happen to Good People") strongly but sympathetically urges his readers to take inventory, learn from their experiences and move on with an open heart. Kushner does not shy away from difficult issues and awkward dilemmas, and his years of rabbinical experience in dealing with congregants' troubles make him well-suited to offer advice. This readable and sensitive discussion of "Life is tough; let's be strong enough not to be broken by it" should appeal to anyone who has ever been disappointed.

Michael Cunningham
6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, October 14; Orpheum Theatre: Main

As a novelist known for his poetic explorations of domestic tranquility as it relates to home, family, and lovers, Michael Cunningham offers an ideal grand finale for the 2007 Wisconsin Book Festival. His most popular work, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Hours, masterfully explores the quiet, private moments of domestic life. His other novels include the acclaimed A Home at the End of the World, Flesh and Blood, and Specimen Days. Cunningham's writing, beloved for its original characters and depth of feeling and vision, has made him a Hollywood favorite. The film versions of The Hours and A Home at the End of the World received major accolades, and his adaptation of Susan Minot's novel Evening, which he co-wrote with Minot and which stars Vanessa Redgrave, Claire Danes, Toni Colette, Patrick Wilson, and Meryl Streep, was released this year. He lives in New York City.