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On the Same Page Literary Festival Begins Sept. 17 with Talks, Panels, Documentaries and Much More

by Madison V. Fisler

Sept. 17, 2013. The Ashe County 2013 Literary Arts Festival, scheduled to take place Sept. 17-21, is at its core a celebration of reading and composition. Each year, the festival adopts a specific theme to set it apart from all the rest. This year’s theme, secrets, will be exemplified by writers and their inspirations. 

“It’s a theme that really runs throughout the festival,” said Rebecca Williams, programs director for the Ashe County Arts Council. 

“We have authors that wrote books about uncovering secrets, we have a quilt maker who wrote about uncovering secrets of quilts, a lot of the books we have chosen are reveal novels. It is really a central point of the festival.”

The festival, which is now in its sixth year, was started as a simple community reading program between the Ashe County Public Library and the Ashe County Arts Council. Over the years, it grew into a true festival including a book fair, author talks, readings, lunch with authors and much more.

The festival is geared more toward adults than for children, and many of the events are completely free and open to the public. Some events, such as lunch with the authors, have an admission fee to pay for the cost of the lunch. 

This year’s On the Same Page festival’s schedule is as follows: 

Tuesday, Sept. 17

  • 1:00 p.m.- Community read discussion with author Dot Jackson at the Ashe County Public Library

Wednesday, Sept. 18

  • 9:30 a.m. – Cinnamon Cinema is a documentary about Poet Laureate Joseph Bathanti and the art of his poetry at Ashe County Public Library 
  • 11:00 a.m.- Joseph Bathanti and Friends of the Library Presentation with reading, discussion and question and answer session at Ashe County Public Library
  • 2:00-5:00 – Georgann Eubanks and Donna Campbell with “Art of the Interview” writing workshop. Reservations are required. Event will take place at the Ashe County Public Library 

Thursday, Sept. 19

  • 9:00 a.m. – Michael Hardy will host an informative workshop called “So You Want to be Published?” looking at the process of publishing. Reservations are required at this event, which is sponsored by Wilkes Community College and held at the Ashe County Public Library.
  • 12:00 p.m. – Literary Trails Luncheon with Georgann Eubanks and Donna Campbell featuring an illustrated talk on North Carolina’s literary lineage. Boxed lunches will be provided at a nominal charge, and reservations are required. This talk will be held at Ashe County Public Library.
  • 2:00 p.m. Reading, discussion and question and answer session with Kevin Duffus in the Ashe County Public Library
  • 7:30 p.m. – Presentation, discussion and question and answer session with D.G. Martin at the Ashe Arts Center

Friday, Sept. 20

  • 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. – The Piecemakers Quilt Guild will hold the 11th annual Quilt Fair at Jefferson Station
  • 10:00 a.m. – Reading, discussion and question and answer session with Amy Greene at Ashe County Public Library
  • 12:00 p.m. – Informal discussions over lunch with our authors. Ask questions, chat and share a meal with authors. Sign up for the author of your choice, each lunch is limited to 15 participants, reservations required at local restaurants. 
  • 2:00 p.m. – Reading, discussion and question and answer session with Emily Colin at the Ashe County Public Library. 
  • 3:30-6:00 p.m. – Book fair featuring local and regional writers, books available for purchase at the Ashe Arts Center
  • 7:30 p.m. – Elliot Engel presents “Sherlock Holmes” at the Ashe Arts Center. Admission is charged for this event

Saturday, Sept. 21

  • 8:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. – Ashe County Farmers’ Market- Downtown West Jefferson on the backstreet. Admission is free. Produce, craft items, and more available for sale. 
  • 8:30 a.m. – Page turner breakfast for donors to the festival, reservations required
  • 10:00 a.m. – Reading, discussion and question and answer session with Stephen Shoemaker and Janet Pittard under the tent at the Ashe County Farmers’ Market
  • 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Piecemakers Quilt Guild 11th Annual Quilt fair held at Jefferson Station
  • 10:15 a.m. – Reading, discussion and question and answer session at Jefferson Station
  • 12:00 p.m. On the Same Plate luncheon and panel discussion with festival authors led by Ken Burrows. There will be a nominal charge and reservations are required. The event will be located at the West Jefferson United Methodist Church Community Room. 
  • 2:30 p.m. – Page Crafters Awards! Winners of the On the Same Page Festival Literary Competition will share their writings and receive their awards at the Ashe County Public Library. 

The authors at this year’s Literary Festival include Kevin P. Duffus, D.G. Martin, Karen Musgrave, Amy Greene, Georgann Eubanks, Stephen Shoemaker, Janet Pittard, Joseph Bathanti, Elliot Engel and Emily Colin. 

“This event is great in that it brings together so many groups in our community,” Williams said. 

Now in its sixth year, this much anticipated event is the perfect venue for any bibliophile to enjoy.