Give Clifford a high five!

Her name was Luna. She was a snail girl. A glittery silver trail shined behind her. Teachers gasped.“A…snail?”“Here?”“But how?” Students whispered.“Interesting.”“Cool.”“Unique!” The garden had never had a snail before. But once it did, it SHINED! The Silver Trail is a story about belonging, inclusion and the quiet but powerful mark we leave on the people around us. Join acclaimed children's TV writer, performer and special needs mom, Venessa M. Diaz in this charming, funny and interactive reading of her debut book, The Silver Trail.

Say hi to the big guy!

A read aloud of Daisy Helps With the Dress, a picture book about a little girl's attempts to "help" with preparations for a wedding celebration in her family of reusers, recyclers, and remixers. Accompanying collage activity.

OLUGBEMISOLA RHUDAY-PERKOVICH is the author of several children’s books, including Operation Sisterhood, an IndieNext Top Ten Pick and BCALA Best Book of the Year, Makeda Makes A Birthday Treat, a Chicago Public Library and Bank Street Best Book of the Year, It Doesn’t Take A Genius, a Kirkus Best Book of the Year, as well as the picture book Someday Is Now: Clara Luper and the 1958 Oklahoma City Sit-Ins (a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People by the National Council for the Social Studies and CBC).

Never fear, Clifford is here!

Operation Hug is a big-hearted children's picture book that tells the story of a pack of critter friends banding together to make a special suit so their porcupine friend can safely join their group hug. Joining the long history of children's literature about the power of friendship, Operation Hug shows readers of the importance of kindness and inclusion.

The Creative Power of Journaling invites artists, writers, readers and even those who think they are “boring” or “not creative” to explore different types of journaling with various materials and in multiple styles (from paper to electronic) as a way to unleash your creative side, organize and record your life, and improve your mental health.

Words in the Ward has been a local, grassroots West Ward neighborhood event for over ten years, starting with open mic gatherings on sidewalks and pocket parks. During the pandemic, Words in the Ward went virtual in the form of videos featuring local poets. We are happy to partner with the Easton Book Festival again for an in person event at a local West Ward business, Plants + Coffee on Northampton Street. Hosted by E. Lynn Alexander, with open mic, poetry, books, activities, giveaways, and more. Come find out why Easton's West Ward neighborhoods are home to so many poets and artists. Check the festival website for the most current details. Info: elynnalexander@gmail.com

After the Declaration of Independence was published, the concept of an egalitarian social order quickly spread through France, Europe and the Americas — A spark that lit the fuse of many revolutions. Showcasing Greek and British coins and the history behind them, this Museum of Money exhibition explores the colorful characters who played key roles in the Greek War of Independence: poets, statesmen, warriors and amazons.

Join us virtually for an open mic event where you can share your poetry and be part of the Easton Book Festival!

This workshop will help writers look at alternatives to the heroic cycle or Freitag's upside down checkmark when writing fiction or creative nonfiction. Using examples from contemporary writers, we will analyze and experiment with writing in different kinds of forms to help crack open creativity and get those stories out of your head and onto the page.

Join The Poets' Cauldron team at the Book and Puppet Co. to discover our new prompts for next year's anthology, and sink your fangs into a bone chilling writing workshop.

Please join the poets of "This is Poetry Volume 5: Northeast Poets" anthology in celebrating this collection with a reading of poets from the anthology. The anthology is a project of The Literary Underground, published by Citizens For Decent Literature Press- so named because of the pro-censorship advocacy group founded in 1956 that sought government control over literature. The press believes that free expression is essential, cultural gatekeeping and banning to be harmful, and the pushing back against censorship of words and book banning remains a fight whose champions cannot ever consider to be won. We know that there are always groups who want to control what we read, watch, and listen to. This anthology celebrates poetry and freedom of expression.

As Lafayette College's 2026 Closs Visiting Writer in residence, acclaimed novelist and Dartmouth University professor Alexander Chee will read from recent work, field audience questions, and sign copies of his books. The event is free and open to the public.

Joyce Hinnefeld's research for her novel-in-stories, The Dime Museum, led her down some unexpected paths--including learning about the history of the American dime. Drawing on writing prompts and access to Book and Puppet's intriguing Museum of Money, we will delve into the presence and influence--literal and metaphorical--of those jingling coins in our lives.

How does a novel or memoir become a film or television series? This practical workshop explores the creative and business sides of adaptation, from reshaping story structure for the screen to understanding what producers, studios, and streamers look for in potential projects.

The Project 2025 Book Club presents an interview of community activist Alan Messinger, by journalist Melba Tolliver.

Wicked Brew Open Mic honors the seasonal vibe and invites participating poets, writers, artists, and musicians to draw from their darker sources—the creepy; the macabre; the magical; the iunexpected. Costumes are encouraged, and the event is open to all, free of charge.

This session focuses on the intersection of identity, creative resilience, and the power of storytelling to build inclusive spaces.

Join us for an incredible evening in the heart of Easton as Lehigh Valley Poetry and Noble Quills host an outdoor open mic event.

Lee Upton is a local literary treasure-known best for her acclaimed poetry. Recently, however, she’s been publishing critically acclaimed novels as well. Lafayette College Professor Jennifer Gilmore talks with Lee Upton about Lee’s newest novel, Tabitha, Stay Up, a sequel to the Thurber Humor Writing Award semi-finalist, Tabitha, Get Up, and also about topics such as writing in many genres, how to write funny, centering women protagonists, and developing singular characters that make her novels so unforgettable.

The Lehigh Valley Zine Exchange (LVZE) is a grassroots zine fest that pops up monthly across Easton, Bethlehem, and Allentown, bringing together zinesters, artists, and the community to swap, share, and celebrate zines. Inclusive at heart and committed to uplifting marginalized voices, LVZE is more than a fest — it’s a welcoming exchange growing zine culture in the Valley!

Make your own Pride Button with Omphala Foundation's Gaia Abraxas, under the Easton Book Festival tent at Easton Farmers' Market.

Meet and greet dozens of authors and publishers, during your day shopping at Easton Farmers’ Market.

Join local author, Stacey Stallings, for a heartwarming celebration of family, faith, and community with a special reading of Homecoming, the first installment in the Remember When book series. In a world that often feels disconnected, Homecoming invites young readers to return to a place where the heart is never hungry. Through the lens of one transformative summer, children will journey back to a time when the rhythm of life was set by the people beside us and the values within us. Following the reading, children will participate in a hands-on heritage craft: creating their very own old-fashioned church fan. Perfect for ages 5–8.

This interactive workshop introduces journaling as a creative practice for writers, artists, readers, and anyone seeking to deepen their creativity. Participants will explore guided prompts and reflective writing exercises designed to spark inspiration, generate new ideas, and strengthen their creative voice. No journaling experience is required.

Bring your pooch, stop by the Easton Book Festival tents for paw-some stories and treats, and meet the REAL Clifford the Big Red Dog!

Authors Dianna Sinovic, Geraldine Donaher, and Misty Simon talk about tattoo art as metaphor in fiction.

In this workshop will talk about different types of pitches and formats and then where authors can pitch those pitches - such as pitch competitions, agent speed dating, Threads pitch competitions, mood pitches, etc. We will discuss pitch competitions can be a great place to break rules, experiment and hone your craft. Then we'll practice some pitches and get some feedback!

What makes a rocking chair so appealing for rocking? People rock for comfort, fun, relaxation, pleasure, or rest, so there must be something special about a rocking chair. In her book, The Red Oak Rocking Chair, author Nelibeth Plaza tells the story of one particular rocking chair that shares surprising, heartwarming, joyful, and sorrowful details of a family.

How much of a true story is actually "true"? This panel explores the boundary between factual recording and literary creation in poetry and memoir writing. While history demands strict facts, the human heart relies on emotional truth. Memory is famously selective, fragmented, and prone to revision over time. Our participating authors will discuss how they navigate the ethical dilemmas of reconstructing dialogue from decades ago, compressing timelines, and filling in the gaps of lost history to shape raw experience into a compelling narrative arc.

Author Jake Lockett reads aloud, and discusses, his children’s picture book My Life as an Asthmanaut.

Presented by Mauve Perle Tahat and Kailey Tedesco, two authors featured in the anthology Subtle Body Horror.

Historical fiction author and college professor Valerie Van Orman explores how to find and create historical fiction stories through family artifacts and genealogical research.

Listen, learn, play, and create at an interactive puppet theater storytime with the Narberth Poetry Theater. Make your own puppets and tell your own stories! 

All families have stories some members don’t want told. Memoirists often struggle with the ethical complexity of telling those stories—with writing about relatives, particularly when their narratives pertain to emotionally-charged conflicts; the revelation of family secrets; contested shared histories; or stories involving such subjects as abuse, trauma, addiction, mental illness pertaining to family members.  Moderator: B.K. Jackson.

Write and share our own scary stories! Join author and Intuitive Arts Coach Andrea R. Freeman as she guides you through crafting your own scary, Halloween story using various oracle card pulls to develop/prompt your: main characters, setting, plot, etc. 

Women authors in conversation about writing their truth, sharing their stories, and exposing their down and dirty. What happens when women tell their truth? What happens when women write their lives? What happens when women are bold and audacious on the page?

The Unbearables are a loose confederation of poets and writers who came of age in 1980s and 90s New York. Infamous for their high-minded aesthetics and low, barroom manners, the group has sought to torment literary powers-that-be throughout its more than three decades of existence. Collapse Press is an independent publisher and producer of events on both the East Coast locally and the West Coast with a focus on writing that speaks to the challenges of our times.

Academic writing and literary fiction writing are two completely different missions. Academic writing is meticulous and requires clarity and precision rather than lyricism, illusion, and metaphor. Yet the three novelists on this panel are all Lehigh academics who write fiction. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of dancing in two different ballrooms.

Meet and greet dozens of publishers and authors.

Poetry suffers in a culture valuing marketable content over quality. Journals housed in universities suffer funding cuts. Independent presses live or die on shrinking NEA funds. But most of us are already our own editors; with some tools already available, you can control your work’s destiny. Take the outlaw road." Mick Parsons presents more than a how-to, but an explanation as to why indie and diy publishing are the past, present, and future of poetry. Providing tools and suggestions based on more than 20 years of experience as an independent DIY publisher. The key to all of it is community. Know your community. Find your community. Help your community. Build networks. Be realistic about outcomes and expectations, but dream.

A discussion & reading from memoirs—on the topic of writing about family & living with a disability.

A Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group sponsored event: Each panelist will read an excerpt of a minor conflict from one of their written works. Each work will be from a different genre. The Genres will be (Women's Fiction, Research Thriller, Appalachian, and Historical Fiction) After each author's reading, the panel will discuss the characteristics of the work that are unique to the genre. After all works have been discussed, the panel will examine differences in the genres and the possibility of cross-genre writing as an effective tool.

Ever wanted to start a book club but didn’t know where to begin? This session will cover everything you need to launch and grow a successful book club, from finding members and choosing books to planning engaging discussions, keeping members coming back, and building a welcoming community. Whether you’re starting with friends, at a library, or in your neighborhood, you’ll leave with practical tips and resources to get started.

Your kids and the whole family will be entertained and enlightened by this very special storyhour with puppets, that features PrideFest 2022 Royale Champion drag queen Eileen O'Brennan. Children learn tolerance early, and what better way to introduce them to the reality of human variety than in the safe, nurturing space of a children's storyhour?

Her name was Luna. She was a snail girl. A glittery silver trail shined behind her. Teachers gasped.“A…snail?”“Here?”“But how?” Students whispered.“Interesting.”“Cool.”“Unique!” The garden had never had a snail before. But once it did, it SHINED! The Silver Trail is a story about belonging, inclusion and the quiet but powerful mark we leave on the people around us. Join acclaimed children's TV writer, performer and special needs mom, Venessa M. Diaz in this charming, funny and interactive reading of her debut book, The Silver Trail.

Never fear, Clifford is here!

Create a bookmark using a frame loom. You will learn basic weaving techniques to create your very own personalized bookmark.

An interactive bilingual storytelling program for children and families featuring the award-winning Marilu book series. Through engaging read-alouds, audience participation, and conversation, children will explore themes of responsibility, cultural diversity, community, and Puerto Rican heritage. The program encourages literacy, curiosity, and appreciation of different cultures. Children will also have the opportunity to meet the author, ask questions, and learn about the inspiration behind the stories. The Marilu doll will be featured as part of the storytelling experience.

Book release in Spanish. Presentation and book signing by authors from different Latin American countries living in New Jersey: Carlos Caprioli, Patricia Munoz, Monica Herrera, Jhon Valencia, Idali Ramos, Judith Jasso, Cesar Chiesa, and Ivan Rivas.

Antologia 2025 is the first book published by the group Cafe Literario LETRAS.

This session will explore the treatment of honest feminist topics in modern publishing. Despite the fact that more than half of the published authors in the US are female, there are still plenty of taboos subjects and challenging situations common to the existence of women that rarely make it to the page. This may be due to gun-shy publishers, a reluctance to offend, editorial bias, or a slow-growing female tolerance for harsher subject matter like gore, violence, horror, or emotional dysfunction. Without examining these areas, though, publishing provides a less-than-honest representation of womankind, skirting around what’s really going on with us girls! Can we convince the world to let us express the authentic (sometimes even shocking) experiences of women through the characters and narrators that appear in our books?

A structured workshop: participants will connect moments in their lives (important moments, minor events, memories or dreams, odd moments from yesterday and/or years ago)—with—a mystery element, TBA! in order for the writing process to lead you and your readers somewhere unexpected.

This interactive children’s workshop introduces students in grades 4 and above to early-stage entrepreneurship. Through fun, hands-on activities, participants will explore how to turn an idea or hobby into a simple business concept, identify whom it could help or serve, create a basic brand, and practice sharing their ideas with confidence. The workshop encourages creativity, communication, professionalism, and practical business thinking. Activities can also be adapted for teens.

A romance-based panel where the authors discuss how much is too much, or if that’s even option. What is so important about romance and why women can’t get enough of it. Also, why some men may need to read it. Haha.

Pink Trees Press authors from New York, Phillip Giambri, Dr. Juanita Kirton, Linda Kleinbub, Ron Kolm, and C.O. Moed will be joined by Pennsylvania authors Gaia Abraxas, E. Lynn Alexander, Danielle Notaro, Darrell Parry, and more.

After the many hours of writing a novel, it's time to do something with it. But what? Take the traditional route? Self-publish it? How? When? Why? Three veteran best-selling and award-winning authors will discuss writing as a business, pros and cons of traditional and indie publishing, the importance of a writing community, and ways to market that book.

Join the Lehigh Valley Speculative Fiction Book Club for a Creepy Dracula book discussion, this Halloween season.

This is an in-person book club for the Lehigh Valley, to discuss the new and old books of magical realism, science fiction, weird fiction, fantasy, and other speculative genres of fiction.

Join us once a month at @Book & Puppet Company in Easton.