The First Annual Alaska Book Festival took place on July 13-14, 2007 and brought in literary artists who represented an array of genres; poetry, natural history, science fiction, history, mystery, photography, cooking and children’s literature. There was something for everyone! Those who participated in the event, whether as a presenter or audience member, clamored for more and expressed anticipation of more such events in the years to come.

Many events were held on the UAF campus but the guest artists also made appearances throughout the Fairbanks community. There were readings at bookstores (Gulliver’s Books and Barnes & Noble), coffeehouses (Two Street Station, College Coffeehouse, McCafferty’s, and Alaska Coffee Roasting Co.) and at the Noel Wien Library and the Literacy Council of Alaska.

The topics for the panel discussions were diverse and included content to interest both the writer and the publisher. The Poets’ Corner, The Universe of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Mystery, Writing Alaska’s History, Publishing: The Publisher’s Perspective were among some of the panel discussion headers. A presentation of Alaskan Gold Rush cuisine by Ann Chandonnet had a full complement of participants.

Sponsors

The Alaska Book Festival was made possible by generous contributions from the Alaska Humanities Forum, Alaska Library Association Northern Chapter, UAF Geophysical Institute, UA Geography Program/Alaska Geographic Alliance, International Arctic Research Center, NANA Management Services, and the UAF Bookstore.

The coordinating committee for the 2007 Festival included the following individuals and the departments they represent: Michelle Bartlett (UAF Summer Sessions), Natalie Forshaw (UAF Rasmuson Library), James Huesmann (UAF Rasmuson Library), Ron Inouye, Robert Mandel (UA Press), and Jennie Witter (UAF Bookstore).

Numerous businesses in Fairbanks and departments at UAF provided assistance in making this event a reality. They include: Alaska Center for the Book, Alaska Coffee Roasting Co., Barnes & Noble Booksellers, College Coffeehouse, Fairbanks Arts Association, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Fairbanks North Star Borough Libraries, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, Gulliver’s Books, International Arctic Research Center, International Polar Year, Literacy Council of Alaska, McCafferty’s Coffeehouse, Two Street Station, UA Geography Program/Alaska Geographic Alliance, UA Press, UAF Bookstore, UAF Geophysical Institute, UAF Rasmuson Libraries, and UAF Summer Sessions.