Author Thomas Frank to appear as part of festival

Journalist and political observer Thomas Frank, author of the best-selling What’s the Matter with Kansas?, will appear in Lawrence as part of the second annual River City Reading Festival in September.

Frank will speak Saturday, September 27 (time and location to be announced later). His new book, The Wrecking Crew: How Conservatives Rule, examines the role of conservative politicians in relation to big government, lobbyists, corporate interests, and more. It will be published in August.

Frank’s talk will cap a full-day celebration of reading that will appeal to all ages and span a broad range of topics and genres. River City Reading Festival activities kick off at 10 a.m. at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont, with book signings, readings, workshops, and more lasting until 4 p.m. Frank will sign books at the festival as well as after his talk.

Here's a quick look at some of this year’s festival events:

• A Mystery Tent will feature authors such as Scott Heim, Nancy Pickard, and Scott Phillips, with panel discussions and author readings throughout the day.
• In a History/Biography/Memoir Tent, authors will take the stage to tell about their interests in America's Wild West, Teddy Roosevelt, the Kansas dust bowl, and Mamie and Dwight Eisenhower. Authors include Michael L. Johnson, Candice Millard, George Paris, Marilyn Holt, and David Nichols.
• Nearly a dozen poets will read from their work.
• Children's book author Jane Kurtz, who grew up in Ethiopia and now lives in Lawrence, will talk about the power of books to change lives.

Festival organizers also invite agencies and organizations involved in the fields of literacy, reading and education to apply for a space in the Exhibitors’ Tent. Non-profit organizations that are not selling merchandise may apply to exhibit information about their services. For more information about exhibitor requirements or to download an application, visit the festival web site at www.rivercityreadingfestival.org.