A Celebration of Books,
Writers & LIterary Excellence

Save the Date


Gaithersburg
Book Festival

May 17, 2025

10am – 6pm

Bohrer Park


Author Archives: Jennie Cottrell

There’s an App for That!

Did you hear the big news? This year, the Gaithersburg Book Festival has an app! Available from the Apple and Android app stores, the Festival app lets you explore the presentation schedule to find your favorite authors and learn about… Continue Reading

Discovering New Authors

by Teresa Hughes I have always loved reading and attend author events and book festivals frequently.  I have attended all five Gaithersburg Book Festivals and eagerly anticipate the sixth this Saturday. What I didn’t realize initially is that I would… Continue Reading

Graphic Novelist Gareth Hinds Brings Shakespeare to Teens

by Teresa Hughes Want to introduce a young person to Shakespeare’s works? This just might be the ticket! Tell them that a graphic novelist with 10 years prior video game designing experience has released a new graphic novel, “Macbeth.” The Gaithersburg… Continue Reading

Michelle Knudsen Talks Lions and Tigers and Ladybugs. (Oh My!)

by Jennifer Nicholson Michelle Knudsen and illustrator Matt Phelan will be talking about their new book, “Marilyn’s Monster,” at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday. Gaithersburg Elementary School librarian Jennifer Nicholson grabbed a few minutes with Michelle last week and asked her a few questions. Q: What was… Continue Reading

Featured Author Marissa Moss Gets Powtoon’ed by MCPS Fourth Graders

Recently, featured author Marissa Moss (author of “Amelia’s Middle School Graduation Yearbook” ) chatted via Skype with a group of 15 fourth graders from Lucy V. Barnsley Elementary School in Montgomery County, Md. “The students were extremely excited to be selected by their teachers to Skype with… Continue Reading

Grammar Nerds Unite… and come out May 16 to Hear Mary Norris Talk

I admit it. I’m a grammar nerd. It’s true. I love posting grammar nerd cartoons and links to my Facebook page. One of my recent favorite books was “The Great Typo Hunt: Two Friends Changing the World, One Correction at a Time” by Jeff Deck and Benjamin D. Herson. (I also admit I wished… Continue Reading

Author Melanie Choukas-Bradley Talks Rock Creek Park

by Melanie Choukas-Bradley Rock Creek Park, as old a national park as Yosemite and twice the size of Central Park in New York City, provides refuge for millions of Washington, D.C., residents and visitors each year. When my family dragged me kicking… Continue Reading

Maryland, including Kentlands, inspires novel series

by Loriann Oberlin When my husband and I were house hunting in Gaithersburg, the first home our realtor showed us was in the Kentlands. Well, we settled into a nearby neighborhood, but quickly found the vast array of Kentlands dining… Continue Reading

3 Reasons Why Kids Shouldn’t Just Read Books… But Make Books Too!

by Heidi Bishop Every year, the Gaithersburg Book Festival offers kids a chance to get hands-on at the festival and participate in a variety of activities, including a book arts workshop. Book Arts projects go beyond cover design and illustrations… Continue Reading

GBF Author Dave Roman Wins Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award

by Jennifer Nicholson On May 2, the Maryland Association of School Librarians (MASL) announced that Dave Roman ’s “Astronaut Academy: Zero Gravity” was the winner of the new graphic novel category of its Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award . The award has been given out annually by the MASL since 1992. This is the second year the… Continue Reading