More than 100 authors and presenters including film producer/director Jay Russell (My Dog Skip, Ladder 49) and authors Roy Blount Jr. and Ian Frazier will participate in the Arkansas Literary Festival, coming to a variety of locations on both sides of the Arkansas River April 12-15.

Central Arkansas Library System's Main Library campus and other venues in the River Market and Argenta Arts districts will be the sites for sessions, panels, special events, performances, workshops, presentations, opportunities to meet authors, book sales, and book signings.

Admission to most events is free.

Among other authors scheduled to attend are Diana Southwood Kennedy, George Dohrmann, Deborah Crombie, Trent Stewart, Mary Monroe, Justin Torres and Greil Marcus.

Events include a cocktail reception with the authors, a book fiesta for children, cooking workshops, two films and a street fair featuring area musicians.

Panels and workshops will cover topics such as graphic novels, poetry, memoirs, romance, craft activism, electronic books and publishing trends, magazine editing and pencil sharpening.

Children's events offer storytime on the lawn of the Governor's Mansion, a reading of a children's story with illustrations and musical accompaniment at the Clinton Presidential Center, two plays, a magic show, a puppet show, and a concert by the Kinders.

Through the Writers In The Schools (WITS) initiative, the Festival will provide presentations by 17 authors for Pulaski county elementary, middle, and senior high schools and area colleges.

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