Boston Book Festival

The National Book Critics Circle, founded in 1974, brings together vital voices in cultural
criticism and practitioners of literary arts in its annual prizes and other programming throughout
the year. In celebration of NBCC’s 50th anniversary, come join this dynamic conversation led by Boston-area critics and writers who have served on the NBCC, been recognized for its prizes, or both. This session will offer insight about becoming a book critic, how decisions are made about what books get reviewed, and the critic’s relationship to writing criticism and making art. There also will be a Q&A period with the audience. Kate Tuttle, past NBCC president and current editor of the books coverage of The Boston Globe, moderates the panel with literary critic and poet Stephanie Burt, memorist and literary critic Nina MacLaughlin, and essayist and cultural critic Jesse McCarthy.

The Associates of the Boston Public Library’s Writer-in-Residence (WIR) celebrates its 20th year this month. This prestigious program has launched the successful careers of several authors, resulting in over 90 books published in children's and YA genres. Come learn from recent alumni about how they earned a spot in this unique Boston residency that provided them with a stipend and an office at the BPL so they could complete their work. Authors Elaine Dimopoulos (The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow), Autumn Allen (All You Have to Do), and Jennifer De Leon (Borderless) will share insights about the application process and about how the WIR program impacted their lives and writing careers.