AuthorFest Brings Writers and Illustrators to Winchester

Every spring AuthorFest, sponsored by the turns the Winchester schools into a hive of literary experiences. On Thursday, April 14 the schools will welcome 20 published authors and illustrators  into their classrooms to engage students in the process that puts ideas into words and drawings.

This year marks the return of 17 authors from last year's event.

"Some presentations were so well liked that we decided to invite those authors again," said Executive Director of WFEE Caren Connelly. "We've added a few others that will fit with what we're accomplishing in this program."

This is the 18th annual Authorfest. Founded by school librarians and volunteers, Authorfest is designed to strengthen children’s love of reading and help improve their writing skills. Presenters visit each grade level, talking about how they write or illustrate a book, plus the skills needed to get their work published.

"This is something the students, teachers and authors love," said WFEE coordinator Ceci Cordeiro. "Authors tell us they look forward to coming even if it means changing their schedules. They know the students will be well-prepared by their teachers." 

At the elementary schools students gather by grade level as each of the visiting guests rotate to three different groups ensuring that every student participates. 

Throughout the day at the approximately 100 students come to the open English area during class time, according to librarian Karen Miller.

Miller explained that the ninth and 10th grades will meet with Deborah Noyes. A Gothic writer who doesn't rely on vampires to develop drama, Noyes has recently written Captivity, a historical fiction based on two girls at the turn of the century whose experiences played an important part in the popularity of the spiritualist movement in America and England.

The 11th and 12th graders who focus on turn of the century studies will meet with Jacqueline Davies whose book Lost gives a fictionalized account of the devestating fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory on March 25, 1911 in New York.

All the authors will be at the Winchester schools during school hours and at from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for a book sale and signing.

Authorfest is run by volunteers and funded by grants from the Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence (WFEE), the Winchester Cultural Council, the EnKa Society, and contributions from the parents’ associations of Winchester’s schools. The support of makes the AuthorFest book sale possible.

Among the authors and illustrators visiting this year are: Dara Goldman, David Biedrzycki, Barbara O’Connor, Marty Kelley, Susan Lubner, Scott Magoon, Peter Mandell, David Elliot, Jamie Spencer, David Hyde Costello, Nancy Poydar, Bob Marstall, Susan Goodman, Judith Jango-Cohen, Allen Kurzweil, Anne Broyles, Heather Panahi, Jackie Davies, Deborah Noyes, Kathleen Benner Duble, Karen Day and Steve Krasner.