Why we have separate author lists

By John Bolton, Arizona Daily Star / January 19, 2012

There are different links and categories for authors at the Tucson Festival of Books to reflect the different pathways to participation in the Festival, and to reflect the different types of appearances.

"Presenting authors" are those hand-picked by our author committee and its subcommittees to appear in the workshops, panel discussions, demonstrations and solo presentations that make up the official "events" of the Festival.

The Festival's committees ensure that an outstanding and diverse mix of local, regional and internationally best-selling authors will be able to discuss topics of interest in more than a dozen genres of literature. Educators, storytellers and illustrators add their expertise to a number of sessions.

The events in which the "presenting authors" participate are meant to offer insights on current events, social trends and other topics of interest to the general public, to niche audiences or to aspiring authors.

You can browse this list in two ways - by author's last name A to Z, or organized by genre.

Because not all of those interested in the Festival can participate as presenting authors, there is another showcase - the Author Pavilion. The Festival will have two tents where nearly 100 mostly Southern Arizona-based authors have reserved two-hour time slots to meet their fans and sell or sign books.

There's a fourth group of authors - those who will conduct book signings at Exhibitor booths. Look for the schedule of signings to be added to the Festival web site's Exhibitor page sometime in February. The Exhibitors themselves have lined up these authors, or in some cases the Exhibitor and author are one and the same.

One reason we organize the authors into these different lists is that it can help set the context of the author's appearance and inform your expectations of your trip to the Festival. A "presenting author" is going to be on a stage or at a podium, addressing an audience in a formal program. In the Author Pavilion or at an Exhibitor booth, you'll be able to meet the author one-on-one or in a small group in an informal, less structured setting that allows for at least a brief conversation.

Follow the links to find some of your favorite authors and make plans to see them at the Tucson Festival of Books:

• 2012 'Presenting authors' A-Z
• 2012 'Presenting authors' by genre
• Author Pavilion
• Exhibitors (includes some authors and will list author signings soon)

If you're not sure which list might apply to your favorite author, you can also try the search box (near the upper right corner of the site). It will help you find an author anywhere on the web site, along with any relevant articles.

John Bolton is the IT/Internet Committee chair for the Tucson Festival of Books.