The Marblehead Literary Festival returns for another year to celebrate reading, writing and creating new connections.
“The Literary Festival has been going on since the inception of the Marblehead Arts Festival,” said Margo Steiner, chair of the Literary Festival. “It draws enormous crowds, and I hope this year draws an even bigger crowd.”
Held over Independence Day weekend, the festival gathers authors, poets and readers for a series of events and workshops.
This year, Steiner said she has expanded programming beyond the July festival with a series of spring “prequel” events and fall “sequel” offerings.
“Because we had so many interesting ideas, I suggested prequels in spring and sequels in the fall,” Steiner said. “It keeps the Literary Festival in people’s minds.”
A Literary Speed Dating event kicked off the prequel season on April 17 at the Marblehead Arts Association tavern. Steiner called it a wild success. Fourteen participants attended, including one woman who drove from Worcester to be there. Participants brought books and had a variety of discussions around a table.
“It was such an open discussion about books,” Steiner said. “People walked away very happy and wanted to keep getting together to talk about books.”
The spring lineup continues in May with a discussion with bestselling author Jenna Blum on Wednesday, May 13 at 7 p.m., also in the MAA tavern.
“We’ll have a roundtable format, similar to Speed Dating, where people can ask her anything,” said Steiner.
Copies of ‘Murder Your Darlings’ and Jenna Blum’s other books will be on sale.
Later that month, longtime Marblehead resident and avid walker, Susan Butterworth will lead “All Paths Lead to the Harbor,” a literary walking tour that blends coastal scenery and readings of classic works.
Butterworth is taking participants on a new adventure this year.
“Expect to see places that you didn’t know existed and enjoy readings about Marblehead while walking through the sights where readings take place,” she said.
Along the route, Butterworth said she will read aloud passages from John Greenleaf Whittier’s poetry to modern fiction inspired by the town. The walk begins at the State Street Landing.
‘Movement, mindfulness and writing’
In June, another literary event takes place outdoors. “The Walking Creative” will be led by Zoe Culbertson and Katie Naoum Rogers along the Marblehead Rail Trail on Sunday, June 7, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Culbertson said the workshop combines movement, mindfulness and writing.
“I’m fascinated by how walking and time in nature spark creativity,” Culbertson said. “Creative writing is a powerful way to connect with what’s going on within each individual.”
The event is designed to be accessible to all levels. Culbertson said no prior writing experience is required. Participants will meet at the Tower School parking lot on the day of the event.
July 4th holiday
As the prequel events wind down, the main festival activities start on July 1-4, as part of the Marblehead Festival of Arts, with events held outdoors at the Jeremiah Lee Mansion on Washington Street.
Steiner said the festival will feature a wide range of talks and workshops — from Elizabeth de Veer’s reimagining of “Cinderella” to a panel on military language and combat poetry led by Brandeis University anthropologist and Brookline resident Janet McIntosh.
McIntosh said this is her first time participating in the Marblehead’s Literary Festival.
“I hope our presentation can help audiences to understand the cost of war,” McIntosh said. Other festival highlights include youth writing labs, storytelling events and the popular writing contest.
Falling forward
For the sequel events, Steiner said there’s more to look forward to with plans for a literary Jeopardy!, speed puzzling and giant crossword puzzling contest.
Steiner says one of the most meaningful aspects of the festival are the new connections people make.
“Literature is so important to the human experience,” Steiner said.
Registration is required for most events and workshops. Visit marbleheadfestival.org.
