Saturday’s Johns Creek Literary Fair Offers NYT Bestseller Karen White, Nathan Deal, 30+ Writers, Gift Ideas

Indulging in fresh pralines while hearing Karen White discuss her New Orleans-themed release? Enjoying cat-shaped cookies as former Gov. Nathan Deal details his feline-focused children’s book? Delighting in petit fours during a panel of historical fiction authors? Having holiday gifts personalized by over 30 authors?

All will be free and fabulous at the Johns Creek Literary Fair Saturday, Nov. 15. The third-annual event will be from noon-5 p.m. at a new location – Johns Creek City Hall, 11360 Lakefield Drive. A few of the highlights include:

• White, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 37 novels, will be the keynote speaker. With nearly 2 million books in print in 15 languages, she will spotlight and sign her new release, “The Lady on Esplanade,” the third novel in her Royal Street series.

• Deal, who served as Georgia’s 82nd governor from 2011-19, the event’s special "catnote" speaker, will explore his children’s book, “Veto, the Governor’s Cat.” All About Cats, a Roswell cat and kitten rescue, will be on hand to share information about adopting and volunteering.

• A panel of renowned historical fiction writers will be featured. Kimberly Brock, author most recently of “The Fabled Earth” and twice shortlisted for the prestigious Townsend Prize for Fiction, will moderate a conversation featuring bestseller Meagan Church, who penned “The Mad Wife,” Carolyn Newton Curry, 2015 Georgia Author of the Year for Biography, with her latest release, “Trudy’s Awakening,” and award-winning literature professor Piper G. Huguley spotlighting “American Daughters.” Bookmiser will sell all six noted authors’ books.

• Over 25 local writers will be signing and chatting about their books, including three-year master of ceremonies George Weinstein, Atlanta Writers Club executive director.

The day’s schedule is:

• 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Nathan Deal, Council Chambers
• 2 p.m. to 3 p.m – Historical Fiction Panel, Council Chambers
• 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Karen White keynote address, Council Chambers
• Noon to 5 p.m. – Local authors, Ocee Room

The JCLF is planned each year by a nine-person committee, including:
• Corinne Wilde, Special Events Planner, City of Johns Creek
• Kathy Cioffi, Founder and Director, Johns Creek Literary Fair
• Nilendra Chanda, Co-Director, Johns Creek Literary Fair
• Ron Cioffi, President and Founder of Arts On The Creek, JCLF partner organization
• Gaby Anderson, three-year JCLF committee member
• Soniah Kamal, three-year JCLF committee member
• Tulip Chowdhury, two-year JCLF committee member
• Sandra Hardy, two-year JCLF committee member
• Toni Bellon, one-year JCLF committee member

And the full list of local authors includes:

Adult authors:

G.A. Anderson

Kristine Anderson

Ashley Baker

Allison Bettes

Priscilla Birdsong

Mike Brown

Sally Chaffin

Eileen L. Cooley

Paul Darden

Ralph Ellis

Brittany Groussman

Dr. Oscar J. Harp III

Jamie Lindberg

L’Mireille

Mike Nemeth

Katherine Nichols

Renee Propes

Sandra Fernandez Rhoads

Scott Sargent

Jeffrey Schnader

Tracy Solheim

George Weinstein

Children’s authors:

Sunsheray Carter

Maisha Cerqueda

Melissa Robinson

MJ Young

More information about the event, in partnership with Arts On The Creek and presented by Bookmiser, the Atlanta Writers Club and Appen Media Group, is here.