Maine Authors Publishing will be hosting their third annual book festival on Saturday, Aug. 27, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 12 High St. in Thomaston. The festival is exclusive to Maine Authors Publishing authors this year, but the event hopes to expand in the future. Free admission.

Forty-nine authors will be in attendance to sign and sell their books. The event includes a children’s area hosted by the Coastal Children’s Museum, presentations, raffles, live music by Castlebay, and refreshments.

“We are thrilled to be able to host the book festival for the third time,” said Jane Karker, president of Maine Authors Publishing. “Part of our mission is to support the Maine literary community, and we hope the festival will continue to grow and evolve.”

There will be two slideshow presentations, one by author Laurence H. Leavitt, and one by author Laurie Apgar Chandler.  From 11:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m., children’s author Laurence H. Leavitt will present “Join Ada Bea McC. on a Downeast Adventure!”  The presentation will include a slideshow of Ada Bea’s Downeast Adventure paired with the audiobook narrated by Jennywren Walker and featuring the voice of renowned Maine humorist Tim Sample. Also featured is music by award-winning singer-songwriter Kathleen Regan with her song “Coast of Maine.” After, the author will briefly discuss the process of writing and will be available for a Q&A.

From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., author and wilderness paddler Laurie Apgar Chandler will present “Writing the Experience and Spirit of Place.” Chandler will share photographs of her extensive northwoods canoe trips, chronicled in her inspirational memoirs. Learn how Chandler transformed a lifelong love of nature and books into a writing career. After solo thru-paddling the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail, she wrote Upwards, followed by Through Woods & Waters: A Solo Journey to Maine’s New National Monument. Hers are stories of shared discovery, highlighting the region’s rich history and natural wonders.

Fiction authors: Claire Ackroyd, William Anthony, J.G. Breerwood,  Nancy Arey Cohen, Geoffrey M. Cooper,  Rowland Creitz, Charlene D’Avanzo, Irene M. Drago, Kathy Eliscu  Bruce A. Fleming, Amelia Garretson-Persans, Deborah Gould, Elizabeth Heminway, Norman R. Kalloch, Jr., Christopher W. Morin, Addison Wentz, and Richard Wile.

Nonfiction: Mary S. Build,  Roger H. Greene, Hans Krichels, Vernita Leins, Don Reimer, June Vail , David C. Wilcock and Sally Williams.

Memoir/Biography: Wayne Myles Burton, Judith Perry Carpenter, Laurie Apgar Chandler, Bethany Lynne Davis, Mimi Gough and Christopher W. Morin.

Children’s books: Kathleen Murray-Allain, Betsey Anderson, Mary Atkinson, Rae Chalmers, Gail Clark, Didi Cooper, Sandra Dunham, Peter & Deborah Emery, Kristy Lageroos, Laurence H. Leavitt, J. Philip Miller, Pat Davidson Reef, Edith Schriever, Susan A. Starr, Judi Valentine, Janet Williams and Margaret Gousse. 

Poetry: Ellen Goldsmith and Betsy Headley. Gift book: Vickie Hughes Baron, Deborah Gould and Susan A. Starr.

Parking will be available at the General Henry Knox Museum, follow directional signs. For more information, visit www.MaineAuthorsPublishing.com.