First chapter of Seattle's new Bookfest is set to begin

The resurrection of the former Northwest Bookfest is on for this weekend in Seattle's Columbia City neighborhood. Now called "Seattle Bookfest," the two-day show mimics the spirit of the old bookfest in that it offers something for just about everyone, from aspiring writers to author groupies to lively activities for kids.

The festival, which will be held in the Columbia City Event Center (the former Columbia School at 3528 S. Ferdinand), has signed up more than 100 authors, mostly local. The roster includes major talent: National Book Award winner and Whidbey Island resident Pete Dexter ("Paris Trout," "Spooner"), Seattle best-selling author Garth Stein ("The Art of Racing in the Rain"), thriller authors Robert Ferrigno (the "Assassin" trilogy) and Michael Gruber ("The Forgery of Venus"), award-winning children's author Bonny Becker ("A Visitor for Bear") and Seattle-based novelists Stephanie Kallos ("Broken for You") and Randy Sue Coburn ("A Better View of Paradise").

The old Northwest Bookfest breathed its last in 2003. The new fair will also showcase more than 50 area bookstores, nonprofits and small publishers as exhibitors, and in the spirit of the old festival, there will be something for everyone, from kids' activities to workshops in old-fashioned book arts like bookbinding. Here's a list of highlights:

Author appearances

Garth Stein: Stein, author of the best-selling "The Art of Racing in the Rain," is a former actor, and his performances/readings are always a hoot. 3 p.m. Saturday, Author Stage 1.

Pete Dexter: This is Dexter's first local appearance since the Whidbey Island resident's publication of his semi-autobiographical novel, "Spooner." 5 p.m. Saturday, Author Stage 1.

Randy Sue Coburn and Stephanie Kallos: Both accomplished practitioners of fiction, Coburn's most recent work is "A Better View of Paradise"; Kallos' is "Broken for You." They discuss the craft at 5 p.m. Sunday on Author Stage 1.

Panels

So you wanna write a kids' book? Everybody's doing it, from celebrities to politicians to actual writers. Several authors tell you how. Noon Saturday on the Children's Stage.

Contemporary graphic novels: Thanks largely to Seattle-based Fantagraphics Books, there's a wealth of local talent in this area. Hear Ellen Forney, Gary Groth, Megan Kelso and Leigh Walton describe how it's done. 3 p.m. Saturday, Panel Stage.

Urban nature: Maria Dolan, Lyanda Lynn Haupt, Kathryn True and David B. Williams discuss how they write about nature in the city. At noon Saturday on the Panel Stage.

The difference between mystery & thriller: Robert Ferrigno, Michael Gruber and Kevin O'Brien discuss at 4 p.m. Saturday on the Panel Stage. Ferrigno appears solo Sunday at 3 p.m. on Author Stage 2.

Is Seattle hostile to literary innovation? Expect sparks to fly at this one. Sam Hamill, Sarah Mangold, John W. Marshall, John Olson and Judith Roche discuss. Poetry Stage, 1 p.m. Sunday.

Other activities include a bookbinding workshop (noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday), young writers' readings, competitive Scrabble, a poetry open mic and a panel of local book reviewers (myself, Stranger book editor Paul Constant and Times crime fiction reviewer Adam Woog, moderated by Seattle Public Library librarian Linda Johns, 4 p.m. Sunday).

The festival is sponsored by Columbia City Cinema, Columbia City Business Association, Rainier Chamber of Commerce and local bookstores, including Third Place Books, Bookworm Exchange, Seattle Mystery Bookshop and Secret Garden Bookshop. The Northwest Spoken Word LAB is sponsoring the poetry stage. Any money recouped from the event after expenses will to go to community charities.

Mary Ann Gwinn: 206-464-2357 or mgwinn@seattletimes.com.