In early April, executive director Tim Henderson of nonprofit Humanities Tennessee sent out a memo “with great urgency” saying that the organization’s National Endowment for the Humanities grant, worth about $1.2 million annually, had been terminated.

One of the first consequences that many Nashvillians spoke of was the potential loss of the Southern Festival of Books, which has been among the most beloved literary events in Nashville since its inception in 1989. But community support and an expanded partnership with Vanderbilt University secured this year’s festival. Now, on Oct. 18 and 19, the 37th annual Southern Festival of Books will visit the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and its neighboring Tennessee State Museum and Tennessee State Library & Archives. All seems right in the world — at least for a weekend.

This year’s festival lineup features author events with literary powerhouses such as Joyce Carol Oates; conversations between luminaries including Adam Ross and Lorrie Moore, as well as Silas House and Ashley Judd; appearances by local figures like Megan Barry and David Dark; and biographies of icons such as Martin Luther King Jr., John Prine and Johnny Cash. Audiences can also expect appearances in support of projects that seem to be tailored for Nashville, such as writer David Levithan’s collaboration with Swedish singer-songwriter Jens Lekman and musical superstar Pat Benatar’s children’s book co-written with her partner Neil Giraldo. As always, all of the SFOB events are free.

In the coming pages, you can read a small selection of Q&As and book reviews focused on authors appearing at this year’s festival. Our special thanks go to Maria Browning and everyone at Chapter 16, another initiative of Humanities Tennessee, which regularly provides the Scene with books coverage.

Visit sofestofbooks.org for details and a full itinerary.  

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