The hysterical sturm und drang regarding the possible end of publishing prompts this week’s column. The Booky Man is happy to report that we are still blessed with giants in the earth when it comes to champions for books and writers.
Five years ago, two smart guys took it on themselves to create a celebration for all-things literary here in Atlanta. Technically, the AJC Decatur Book Festival Presented by DeKalb Medical (AJC DBF) takes place on the streets of Decatur, Georgia, a sweet little suburb of the nation’s fifth-largest city. I’ve heard Decatur folk describe the community as “where Mayberry meets Manhattan.” There’s a lot more Mayberry than Manhattan, truth to tell, but most people consider that all to the good when it comes to living and breathing. Paste is based here, and it’s just one of the wonders.
Daren Wang and Thomas Bell were the two catalysts for the book festival back in 2005. Under their guidance, the event has grown in only five years to become the largest independent book festival in the country and the fourth largest overall. In 2009, as many as 60,000 festival goers crowded the historic downtown Decatur Square to enjoy book signings, author readings, panel discussions, an interactive children’s area, live music, parades, cooking demonstrations, poetry slams, writing workshops, and a critter named Bookzilla.