Tucson Festival of Books: Newsletter

Free stuff galore

With more than 450 free author presentations, activities and performances at the second annual Tucson Festival of Books, what more could a festival-goer want this weekend? Free stuff, of course.

Free parking at the Festival: Details, map

Here are just some of the freebies. We're sure you'll find even more:

• 4,000 free books will be given away over Saturday and Sunday in the free-book tent in the Children's Area, thanks to Cox Communications. (Get the coupon from the Festival program, published in the Arizona Daily Star March 7, available at the info booths.)
• See "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" free Saturday at 7 p.m. on a giant 30-by-30-foot outdoor screen in Main Gate Square, near University Boulevard and Tyndall Avenue. Sponsored by Cox Communications and the Marshall Foundation.
• 10,000 free special sections from the March 7 Arizona Daily Star are available at the four information booths on the UA Mall and in the UA Bookstore. The 48-page section includes a handy pocket-size guide to children's events and author presentations.
• Free library card. Sign up at the Pima County Library Bookmobile.
• Download a book or movie for free at the OverDrive Digital Bookmobile.
• Free sample-size of McDonald's McCafé Frappés in the McDonald's Booth both days of the festival.

Freebies in the Diamond Children's Area include:
• Free book tote bags.
• Free book and safety activity books.
• Free Do the Boo Boo Bunny Hop craft activity at noon and 3:30 p.m.
• Free kite decorating at noon, 2 and 3:30 p.m.

News flash: Festival participant Lodato wins award

Playwright Victor Lodato has just won the 2009 Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers Award for fiction for his first novel "Mathilda Savitch."

The award was announced this week. Lodato was awarded $10,000 and a year of marketing and merchandising support from the bookseller.

Festival-goers can meet Lodato when he talks about Adolescent Characters with Attitude Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in Integrated Learning Center/Room 120.

Can't get to Festival Saturday? Plenty of highlights Sunday

Check out the workshops, seminars and more scheduled for Sunday.

A fine reason to arrive at the festival early on Sunday is to work the unique Sunday-size crossword puzzle, "Hello, It's Me," available at the Star's Pavilion before crossword superstar Merl Reagle's 10 a.m. appearance.

If you have to miss the Lindley Lopez Literary Circus on Saturday, there are three more hour-long performances on Sunday beginning at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on the Circus Stage. Bring your kids to this one-of-a-kind extravaganza.

Don't miss the seminar on what it takes to write a successful screenplay. Glean advice and hear real-life stories from Hollywood screenwriter John August, author of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Big Fish," and "Go." August will be interviewed by Herb Stratford on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on The UA Mall Tent.

3 javelinas After lunch in the food court, join William Gates Sr. for an hour-long inspiring conversation on "Showing Up For Life." Gates will be interviewed by Mark Rubin in The UA Mall Tent from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday.

From 2 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday on the McDonald's Children's Entertainment Stage, kids can watch a live theatre performance of the Southwest children's classic "The Three Little Javelinas" narrated by the book's award-winning author, Susan Lowell.

Festival fans, please take our survey

If you're attending this year's Tucson Festival of Books, please take a few minutes afterward to fill out this feedback survey. Your participation will help us build an even better Festival in 2011.

Thank you, volunteers and sponsors

The Tucson Festival of Books wouldn't be possible without the contributions of hundreds of volunteers who take on dozens of tasks before, during and after the event.

The Festival is also grateful to our sponsors, who make it possible to keep this event free of charge for attendees and help support literacy programs in Southern Arizona.

Festival goodies for sale