Book Festival Coming to OC

Lovely Bones author Alice Sebold, Daily Show head writer Lizz Winstead and To Kill a Mockingird actress Mary Badham will headline Chapman University's inaugural Big Orange Book Festival on Sept. 21-22.

The free event will feature talks and panels by acclaimed authors and literary figures from Orange County and beyond, as well as booths showcasing books and related merchandise. 

The list of scheduled speakers includes bestselling authors Sebold and Sapphire (who wrote Push, the novel that became the acclaimed film Precious), actress Badham (who at age 10 starred alongside Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird) and Winstead, co-creator of The Daily Show and author of the memoir Lizz Free or Die.

Sebold, Sapphire and Winstead will present one-hour talks with audience Q&As, followed by book-signings. Badham will appear at a free screening of To Kill a Mockingbird in Memorial Hall, and discuss her experiences filming the movie.

The festival will feature author talks and panels in six main focus areas:

• California Voices will spotlight authors who are from Southern California or write about California
• Outside the Box will focus on authors writing in the science fiction, steampunk and fantasy genres
• Based on the Book will highlights books turned into movies or TV series, as well as books about screenwriting, movies and TV
• Mystery, Mayhem and Romance will feature authors in the mystery, action and romance genres
• Chapter and Verses focuses on poetry and creative nonfiction
• Ten at the Top will showcase selected Chapman students’ fiction, poetry and screenplays in 10-minute segments at the top of each hour.

Parking on the campus will be free during the festival. For more information and updates, go to www.bigorangebookfestival.com, or check out the festival’s Facebook page.