CHICAGO, May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- From toddler-wielding parents to antique book collectors to fiction aficionados, the Chicago Tribune Printers Row Book Fair has something to please book lovers of all kinds. The Fair -- the largest free outdoor literary event in the Midwest -- is expected to draw nearly 90,000 visitors to the two-day showcase, set in Chicago's historic Printers Row neighborhood June 3-4.
As always, the Fair tackles timely topics, including immigration, the death penalty and the environment; features panels of au courant bloggers-turned-authors and graphic novelists; and welcomes more than 100 literary luminaries. Among the authors scheduled to appear are:
Jonathan Alter: The author of "The Defining Moment: FDR's 100 Days and the Triumph of Hope" will appear in two programs presented with the Chicago Humanities Festival, one on the evening of Friday, June 2 at the Northwestern University School of Law, and again on Sunday at the University Center.
Augusten Burroughs: The author of the hilarious bestselling memoir "Running with Scissors" writes about childhood experiences, bad jobs and life as a writer in the collection of embellished life essays, "Possible Side Effects." He appears on the Heartland Stage presented by Barnes & Noble.
Michael Connelly: The bestselling mystery author switches to nonfiction for a collection of articles written during his tenure as a crime reporter in "Crime Beat." Readers will learn how real life influences fiction.
E.L. Doctorow: Doctorow opens the fair at the Harold Washington Library Center, a day after accepting the Harold Washington Literary Award from the Near South Planning Board. The prolific author's latest novel, the Civil War epic "The March," won the National Book Critics Circle Award.
Dave Eggers: The hip author, founder of McSweeney's and editor of The Believer magazine comes to Chicago to appear with students from 826 Chicago, one of his nonprofit writing and tutoring centers.
Nikki Giovanni: The influential poet appears on both the Chicago Tribune Kids Alley Stage to read from "Poetry Speaks to Children" and at the Harold Washington Library Center.
Erica Jong: The outspoken feminist author of "The Fear of Flying" discusses her life as a writer and her memoir "Seducing the Demons" with Chicago author Gioia Diliberto.
Mark Kurlansky: The author of the popular histories "Cod" and "Salt" offers a history of New York City from an oyster's perspective in his latest book "The Big Oyster." He appears on the Good Eating Stage.
Robert Remini: The National Book Award-winning Andrew Jackson biographer now turns his historian's eye to the U.S. House of Representatives in "The House."
John Updike: The acclaimed author's latest novel "Terrorist" is an unflinching portrayal of America post-9/11. Chicago Public Library Commissioner Mary Dempsey introduces the American literary icon.
Luis Alberto Urrea: The author discusses his book about the immigrant experience "The Devil's Highway" with Chicago Tribune Publisher David Hiller, who during his service in the U.S. Department of Justice was Attorney General William French Smith's chief aide on immigration.
The 2006 Fair, the 22nd annual event, will feature multiple indoor and outdoor stages with more than 100 free literary programs and nearly 150 new, used and antiquarian booksellers. This year, the Tribune introduces Kids Alley -- a children's entertainment and activity area featuring beloved children's performers Ella Jenkins and Justin Roberts on a reading and performance stage emceed by Chicago native songwriter Alice Peacock. For food fanatics, the Good Eating stage will be hosted by Chicago's own Hearty Boys and will feature appearances by chef and cookbook author Jimmy Bannos from Heaven on Seven and New Yorker writer Bill Buford, whose book "Heat" chronicles his months spent as a "kitchen slave."
The Chicago Tribune Printers Row Book Fair is presented in association with the Chicago Public Library. Sponsors of this year's fair include Target, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Jewel-Osco, C-SPAN and Columbia College Chicago.
The Chicago Tribune operates the Printers Row Book Fair as part of the company's ongoing commitment to the written word and its support of literacy and literary endeavors. For more information about the Fair and a complete list of programs and exhibitors, go to http://www.printersrowbookfair.org/ .
About Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune Company publishes the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper with daily readership of 1.7 million and 2.7 million on Sunday. The company also operates related developing media businesses serving Chicagoland. Chicago Tribune is the founding publication of Tribune Company , one of the country's leading media companies, operating businesses in broadcasting, publishing and on the Internet.
