Barnes & Noble B-Fest: B-There!

Behind the scenes at Barnes & Noble stores around the country, you will find Community Business Development Managers working to create communities of readers. I recently caught up with David Knapp from the Barnes & Noble store in Rochester Hills, MI. He's excited about books and getting kids reading, and he's an author too. His job includes coordinating with local schools and organizing events.

Barnes & Noble is trying to return to its roots of being a bookstore first and foremost, and David is especially looking forward to the upcoming B-Fest. This 3 day event on June 10-12 was created as an avenue to bring teens into the stores. B&N's first national teen book festival will feature contests, giveaways, author panels and signings, and writing workshops. 

Tom Batterson, the Community Business Relations Manager at B&N Lakeview Square in Battle Creek, hopes B-Fest will be an annual event, partnering with thousands of authors and fans to create new excitement about books and make smaller YA authors more discoverable.  

Want to B-involved? 

• Follow the Barnes & Noble Teen Blog on Facebook or BNBuzz on Twitter. 
• Stop by your local store or visit their website to see their line-up for the weekend. 
• Ask to participate as a local author, spread the word to local teens, or simply show up and enjoy the festivities as a reader.

I'll B-there! ;)

At B&N Rochester Hills, come see authors Cori McCarthy, Amy Rose Capetta, Bethany Neal, Erica M. Chapman, Andrea Hannah, MG Buerhrlen, David James, Heather Meloche, Barbara Rebbeck, and Kristin Lenz (me!). Click the store's link to find more information and times.

SCBWI-MI's Kelly Barson, Patrick Flores-Scott, and more will be at B&N Lakeview Square, Battle Creek. More info below.

If you're an author appearing at one of the stores, let us know in the comments below!

Coming up on the Mitten blog: the SCBWI-MI Picture Book Mentorship Competition, Ask Frida Pennabook, the Making of a Book Cover, an Indie Bookseller Interview, and MFA Q&As.

Nina Goebel is preparing to announce our new Featured Illustrator on July 1st, and Patti Richards is gathering your good news for another round of Hugs and Hurrahs. To be included, email Patti by June 19th at pgwrites5@gmail.com.

Cheers!

Kristin Lenz