At Literature Fairs in the Washington Area, Readers and Writers Gather 'Round for Storytime

.

Here is a list of nearby literary festivals. Events are free unless otherwise noted.

Delaware

· Delaware Book Fair , Dover, Nov. 4. 302-739-4748, Ext. 113, http://www.state.lib.de.us/Center_For_The_Book/Festival/festival.pdf . Award-winning mystery writer Elizabeth George and Sebastian Junger, author of "The Perfect Storm," are among the authors scheduled to appear at the festival, to be held at First State Heritage Park.

The District

· National Book Festival, the Mall, late September. 888-714-4696, http://www.loc.gov/bookfest . This festival's focus is mainly literary, hosting 65 to 75 authors, illustrators and poets who are prize winners or have national reputations and big followings.

· Multicultural Children's Book Festival, Kennedy Center, Nov. 4. 202-467-4600 (press "0" to reach an information specialist), http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/specialevents/bookfestival . Interactive performances, illustration workshops, readings by authors and other events for kids, all free. Tickets are not required.

Maryland

· International Day of the Book, Kensington, April. 301-949-9416, http://www.dayofthebook.com/ . This afternoon street festival incorporates musical performances and family activities into its celebration of "The Book as Literature, the Book as Art, the Book as Music."

· Baltimore Book Festival , Baltimore, September-October. 410-752-8632, http://www.baltimorebookfestival.com/ . Two hundred nationally known and local authors, as well as 75 exhibitors and booksellers, descend on Mount Vernon Square for this annual festival, now in its 12th year.

· Bethesda Literary Festival , Bethesda, April. 301-215-6660, Ext. 17, http://www.bethesda.org/specialevents/litfest/litfest.htm . Downtown Bethesda's bookstores, art galleries and community centers are the settings for this festival's poetry slams, book signings, writing contests and other events, all free.

· Capital BookFest , Largo, first Saturday in October. 301-552-7300, Ext. 2, http://www.capitalbookfest.com/ . This festival takes place at the Borders Books on Capital Centre Boulevard and celebrates literary arts while promoting literacy.

Virginia

· Virginia Festival of the Book, Charlottesville, March 21-25. 434-924-6890, http://www.vabook.org/ . More than 26,000 attendees are expected at this five-day event, which features readings, panels and discussions with authors, illustrators and publishing professionals. Most events are free.

· Virginia Storytelling Gathering, Harrisonburg, March 30-April 1. 757-428-8501, http://www.vastorytelling.org/gathering . Storytelling and workshops take place at the Massanetta Springs Conference Center, a rustic retreat in the Shenandoah Valley.

· Hollins University Annual Literary Festival, Roanoke, March 10. 540-362-6503, http://www.hollins.edu/news-events/litfest/litfest.htm . This day-long festival takes place on the campus of Hollins University. The public is welcome to attend readings, panel discussions and award ceremonies, all of which are free.

· Malice Domestic, Arlington, May 4-6. 301-730-1675, http://www.malicedomestic.org/ . Established in 1989, this convention gathers 175 mystery writers and their fans to salute the traditional mystery during three days of award ceremonies, parties and panel discussions. Registration costs range from $200 to $275, depending on the programs you attend and when you register.

· Fall for the Book, Fairfax, September-October. 703-993-3986, http://www.fallforthebook.org/ . All events are free at this nine-day festival. Events include performances for children, art exhibits, film screenings and poetry readings. Everything takes place at George Mason University.

West Virginia

· West Virginia Book Festival, Charleston, Oct. 21-22. 304-343-4646, http://www.wvhumanities.org/bookfest/bookfest2.htm . Free book appraisals and a discussion about the effect of Nancy Drew on American girls and women are among the events taking place at this festival, where Bobbie Ann Mason is one of many writers scheduled to participate.

-- Elise Hartman Ford

.