Q: WHAT WAS THE GENESIS OF THE LITERARY FESTIVAL?

A: In late 2005, Berks County native author and radio personality Charles J. Adams III came up with the idea for a broad-based literary festival in the “Greater Reading” area after attending a similar event in Brattleboro, Vermont. He contacted a handful of friends and colleagues who shared his passion for the written.and read word. Each was involved in education, art, and/or literary endeavors. Each of those individuals in turn fanned out into their sphere of influence and recruited or inspired others to join in the organizational effort. That effort built up steam over several months, and participants eagerly scheduled events and programs. Monthly meetings were held in the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in center-city Reading. Although the festival is not in any way a project of the Berks Arts Council, the council allowed the committee to meet in its offices at the GoggleWorks until the number of festival planning attendees necessitated a move into a larger meeting room in the center. Berks Arts Council personnel monitored the progress of the planning and offered advice and encouragement throughout the organizational stages. Reading Mayor Tom McMahon and State Senator Michael A. O’Pake were also kept “in the loop” of the planning, and offered their support.

Q: WHAT EXACTLY IS “READING READS: THE GREATER READING LITERARY FESTIVAL”?

A: The question is not so much what “is” the Festival, but what could a Greater Reading Literary Festival become? The answer is up to you. The Festival has taken shape as a cooperative, coordinated effort that will manifest mainly as a collection of events grouped under one “Literary Festival” banner. Regularly scheduled events, special exhibits, presentations, competitions, readings, book signings, discussions….whatever. If it promotes reading, writing, and the cultural contributions of literary endeavors, it has qualified as an event of the Literary Festival.

Q: WHY A “GREATER READING” LITERARY FESTIVAL? WHAT IS “GREATER READING”?

A: Tourism and economic development entities in Berks County, Pennsylvania, have begun to promote all of Berks as “Greater Reading,” as the city is the big dot in the middle of the map of the county and.together with its suburbs.the cultural, economic, and population hub of the county. Therefore, to “us locals,” “Greater Reading” is all of Berks County.

Q: WHO DESIGNED THE LOGO FOR THE FIRST LITERARY FESTIVAL?

A: It is the work of calligrapher, artist, and writer Carol J. Haile, who donated her talents.

HOW HAS THE LITERARY FESTIVAL BEEN FUNDED?

A: The event has been a “no budget” project with an entirely volunteer committee. SpinThread Web Design & Hosting donated its service for the creation and maintenance of this web site. Various printed documents and services were provided by a private donor. Funding for a literary festival may be available from governmental and foundation sources, but must be channeled through a non-profit organization.

HOW WILL THE “READING READS” VENUES BE IDENTIFIED?

A: Each location has been provided with, and urged to display, a yellow “EVENT SITE” placard with the Literary Festival logo on it. The cards will be placed in the window, at the entrance, and/or the actual location of the event within the establishment.