“These days, you don’t have to go to a Yaddo or MacDowell to find a writer’s colony,” says New York Times book critic, Liesl Schillinger. “You just have to cross the Brooklyn Bridge” — particularly next Sunday, Sept.16, when the Brooklyn Book Festival returns to Brooklyn Borough Hall and Plaza.

Two new venues were added this year: the Brooklyn Historical Society, and St. Francis College, party central for marquee authors like the two Jonathans, Lethem (pictured) and Safran Foer, who Schillinger will be moderating in a panel with their French and German publishers about their popularity abroad, and how their Americanness shapes their writing.

The panel reflects the international scope of this year’s fair, meant to mirror the diversity of Brooklyn and its writers. Translation: there’s something for everyone, but only if you cloned yourself could you take in the 100+ events, like the panel with chefs David Bouley and Dan Barber, or Myla Goldberg reading her children’s book on the plaza.

How to choose from the lineup on brooklynbookfestival.org? We emailed some of the moderators and vendors for their picks.*

Betsy Sussler, of BOMB magazine, is excited about the discussion she’s moderating, “A.M. Homes in Conversation with Francine Prose,” — “two of New York’s finest writers.” (4pm, Court Room at Borough Hall [BH])

Rob Spillman, editor of Tin House, who’s introducing two readings, Africa Now (3pm, BH Community Room) and Brooklyn’s Own (5pm, same place) says, “I’m excited about hearing Jon Scieszka read — one of the most clever and hilarious writers for any age (11:45am, Target Children’s Area, BH Plaza), and the Dave Eggers slide show, about his and Valentino Deng’s project to build a school in remote Sudan.” (5pm, St. Francis College)

Says Brigid Hughes, editor of A Public Space, who’ll also be at Brooklyn’s Own: “I’m reading their books right now, so I’d like to see the poetry event with Eliza Griswold and C.D. Wright. Also the fiction reading with George Saunders, Lynne Tillman, and Josh Ferris.” (12pm, BH Community Room)

Hannah Tinti, editor of One Story, who’ll be selling copies on the plaza with 100 or so other vendors, echoes: “If I could steal away, I’d probably go to the George Saunders reading. I love his work!”

Also on the docket: a free outdoor screening of Smoke, written by Paul Auster, on the Plaza, Saturday at 8pm, and the borough-wide “Big Read” of To Kill a Mockingbird, which kicks off the Fest. (Click here to read a horrifying, real-life spin on the Harper Lee classic, playing out in Mississippi as we speak.)

*Note: The heavyweight readings will be ticketed–meaning you’ll have to get free tix an hour in advance of the program at either the info booth in front of Borough Hall or the one outside the Cadman Plaza exit at the Borough Hall subway stop. The site will list the ticketed panels soon.

Photo by Seth Kushner, who will also be at the book fest, talking about his and Anthony LaSala’s book The Brooklynites. Their exhibit opens tonight at powerHouse Arena.
Sent by Nicole.