Literary Programs Year-Round / 2024 Festival November 16–17

Author: Jose Rodriguez

Amplify Credit Union and Texas Book Festival Presents: Laekan Zea Kemp

By Jose Rodriguez on

Amplify Credit Union and Texas Book Festival are thrilled to present author, Laekan Zea Kemp, discussing her new young adult novel-in-verse, An Appetite for Miracles, in conversation with fellow author, Jennifer Ziegler (Worser, How Not to Be Popular). The event will be held at 6 PM on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at Amplify Credit Union’s Esperanza event space (2800 Esperanza Crossing #2, Austin, TX 78758). Admission is free and tickets are available here.

The event will include a reading and moderated Q&A followed by a signing line. Masks are encouraged but not required. Amplify will provide hand sanitizer and masks onsite. Seating will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. For additional questions or concerns, please contact feedack@goamplify.com.

About An Appetite for Miracles:
Danna Mendoza Villarreal’s grandfather is slowly losing himself as his memories fade, and Danna’s not sure her plan to help him remember through the foods he once reviewed will be enough to bring him back. Especially when her own love of food makes her complicated relationship with her mother even more difficult. Raul Santos has been lost ever since his mother was wrongly incarcerated two years ago. Playing guitar for the elderly has been his only escape, to help them remember and him forget. But when his mom unexpectedly comes back into his life, what is he supposed to do when she isn’t the same person who left. When Danna and Raul meet, sparks fly immediately and they embark on a mission to heal her grandfather…and themselves. Because healing is something best done together—even if healing doesn’t always look the way we want it to.

About the Author:
Laekan Zea Kemp is a writer living in Austin, Texas. Her debut novel, Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet was a 2022 Pura Belpré Honor Recipient. She has three objectives when it comes to storytelling: to make people laugh, cry, and crave Mexican food. Her work celebrates Chicane grit, resilience, creativity, and joy while exploring themes of identity and mental health.

About the Moderator:
Jennifer Ziegler is the author of several novels for young and young-at-heart readers, including Worser, Revenge of the Flower Girls, and How Not to Be Popular. She also serves as faculty co-chair of Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults. A native Texan of Mexican American heritage, Jennifer lives in Austin with her husband (and favorite author), Chris Barton, and their boss, a terrier mix named Ernie.

Subscribe to the TBF Newsletter

By Jose Rodriguez on

Subscribers Hear it First

Receive news, announcements, and updates! We will never sell or share our email list. For questions about the TBF newsletter, email Jose@texasbookfestival.org.

* indicates required

Join the Volunteer Committee Chairs

By Jose Rodriguez on

Love volunteering with TBF and want to do more? Look no further! TBF is seeking Volunteer Committee Chairs for multiple positions to help run 2024 Festival venues. Anyone can apply and everyone is welcome. All we ask is that you have a passion for books and a desire to serve the literary community.

What is a Volunteer Committee Chair?

Volunteer Committee Chairs (VCCs) are an integral part of what makes the Texas Book Festival Weekend a successful annual event. We have 1-3 VCCs at each Festival venue, including those inside the Texas Capitol, adjacent offsite venues, and in our tented stages on Congress Ave. and 11th Street.

Each VCC or VCC team is entrusted with overseeing event logistics and volunteers at their venue. With guidance from the TBF team, you and your volunteers will help facilitate Festival sessions at your venue, including managing audience Q&As and facilitating book signings when applicable.

Ideal VCCs are flexible, able to delegate tasks, have a can-do attitude, and are good at problem-solving on the spot. Some VCC positions require extra qualifications. 

VCCs must be available during the entire Festival Weekend (November 16–17), have some flexibility during the week leading up to the Festival, and be able to attend monthly meetings leading up to the Festival with meetings starting in June. These meetings are necessary for getting to know the other VCCs, training in emergency protocols, learning the Festival layout, and other pertinent information.

Main Responsibilities Include*: 
     •   Managing volunteers in their selected shifts at the assigned venue
     •   Coordinating the setup and breakdown of the assigned venue
     •   Welcoming Festival attendees and maintaining an inviting atmosphere
     •   Facilitating audience Q&As at the end of Festival sessions and managing onsite book signings when applicable
     •   Acting as a resource for Festival authors and moderators in the assigned venue
* Each VCC position will have slightly different responsibilities/schedules depending on their assigned tent.

Express Your Interest

We could not run the festival without the help of our amazing VCCs and we’re excited to add new faces to our team! To express your interest in becoming a VCC or if you have any questions contact Event Production & Logistics Coordinator Olivia Hesse at oliviahesse@texasbookfestival.org.