CONTACTS:	Earlene Chelf	RELEASE: November 1, 2002
	Jayne Pelaski
	(270) 745-5263

OWLING GREEN, Ky. – Planning is underway for the fifth annual Southern Kentucky Festival of Books, which will be held April 11 & 12, 2003 in conjunction with National Library Week. The festival will feature over 200 authors including best-selling novelist, David Baldacci and award-winning children’s author, Avi. Other headlining authors will be announced next spring.

Mr. Walter Baker and Mr. Bart Darrell, both members of Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, will serve as honorary co-chairs. Brents Dickinson, John Grider, and Jerald Manning will serve as event co-chairs.

Fundraising committee chairman Bob Kirby and his team have had much success. Event sponsors who have generously contributed $5,000 or more include: Jim Johnson Pontiac Nissan, Fruit of the Loom and Delta Dental. The Stupp Foundation continues their support with a donation of $4,000; Wendy’s of Bowling Green with $3,300 and Bowling Green Imports and General Motors at $2,500.

A new tradition for the Southern Kentucky Festival of Books is the Kentucky Literary Awards. Nominations are now being accepted for excellence in nonfiction and fiction publications. The winners will be announced in April, and will each receive a cash prize of $1,000.

Also new to the festival is the “Write the Writer” writing contest. Students from grades 3 – 12 are invited to read a book and write a letter to the author discussing how the book influenced their life. Entries are submitted to the book festival office. The winners to be announced at the festival on Friday, April 11, will win Barnes and Noble gift certificates.

In celebration of National Family Literacy Day, November 1, the festival organizers – Western Kentucky University Libraries/Kentucky Museum, Bowling Green Public Library, and Barnes and Noble Booksellers - have special events planned to encourage families to read together. The festival will again partner with the WKU Men’s Basketball Team for “Books and Baskets.” At the November 16 home game, fans who donate a new or gently-read children’s book will enter at no admission charge. All donated books will be distributed to children during Children’s Book Week, November 18 - 23.

In addition to the activities mentioned, the Bowling Green Public Library and the Warren County Schools have many activities planned. Besides the scheduled activities, a day-by-day calendar of activities appeared in the October 27 edition of the DAILY NEWS.

“In just four years, the Southern Kentucky Festival of Books has become this state’s largest and, we believe, best literary event,” says Earlene Chelf, Director of the Book Festival.

“The success of the Southern Kentucky Festival of Books is due to the tremendous support of underwriters, outstanding media coverage and tireless efforts of hundreds of volunteers who believe in the festival and its mission to promote reading and literacy,” Chelf concluded.

David Baldacci, headlining author said, "I am pleased to participate in the Southern Kentucky Festival of Books next spring. It is an honor to be invited to such a prestigious event and to be included in the list of distinguished writers. With all the time and energy I devote to the fight for literacy, it is heartwarming to find events such as the Southern Kentucky Festival of Books that is dedicated to showcasing books and authors -- bringing together readers and writers in a community of words and ideas."

For more information about National Family Literacy Month or the Southern Kentucky Festival of Books, call (270) 745-5263 or (270) 745-6261.