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Over 50 authors converge on Harbor Springs for book festival

Over 50 authors will partake in events throughout the weekend at the 2nd Annual Harbor Springs Festival of the Book.
Harbor Springs Festival of the Book
Over 50 authors will partake in events throughout the weekend at the 2nd Annual Harbor Springs Festival of the Book.

A three-day book festival kicks off in Harbor Springs on Friday.

Over 50 authors from around the country will be there for panel discussions, readings and other events.

“We’re celebrating the culture of books in a beautiful part of the world, where most events are free,” says Amy Gillard, executive director of the festival.

In 2014, a group of book lovers got together and talked about what it would be like to bring a book festival to Harbor Springs. They wanted to bring authors and readers together, focus on the importance of literacy, and just bring people to Harbor Springs.

Gillard says that’s exactly what’s happened. 

“Last year we had over 1,600 people in sessions throughout the three-day weekend," she says. "We’re hoping for that, if not more, again this year.”

Julie Buntin is a featured author at this year's Harbor Springs Festival of the Book.
Credit Nina Subin
Julie Buntin is a featured author at this year's Harbor Springs Festival of the Book.

A featured author in this year’s festival is Julie Buntin. Julie grew up in Alanson, and later studied writing at Interlochen Arts Academy.

This year she came out with her debut novel, “Marlena.” It’s a novel about two teenage girls - Cat and Marlena - and their short but intense friendship. The book explores loss, friendship and nostalgia, and has received critical acclaim.

On Friday afternoon, Julie Buntin will be reading from "Marlena" at the Holy Childhood Church Community Center in Harbor Springs. She’ll also be part of a panel discussion on Sunday morning titled “Young Women on the Brink.” That’s at the Harbor Springs Area Public Library.

For a complete schedule of events for the 2nd Annual Harbor Springs Festival of the Book, click here.

Dan Wanschura is the Host and Executive Producer of Points North.