Gaithersburg Book Festival Welcomes Former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins for February 9 Reading and Book Signing
“Most Popular Poet in America” to Share New Book Musical Tables
Gaithersburg, Md. – January 4, 2024 – In celebration of its 15th year, the Gaithersburg Book Festival will host former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins for a special event on Friday, February 9 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET at the Asbury Methodist Village Rosborough Cultural Arts Center in Gaithersburg, Md. Collins will share his new book, “Musical Tables,” followed by a book signing and reception.
“What a way to kick off our 15th year, hosting one of America’s most beloved poets!” said Jud Ashman, Festival founder and chair, who also serves as Mayor of the City of Gaithersburg. “It is a real honor to bring the great Billy Collins to Gaithersburg and give our community a chance to get to know our former U.S. Poet Laureate and a real master in the poetry space.”
Dubbed “the most popular poet in America” by Bruce Weber in The New York Times, Collins is “famous for conversational, witty poems that welcome readers with humor but often slip into quirky, tender, or profound observations on the everyday, reading and writing, and poetry itself.”
Collins served two terms as the U.S. Poet Laureate from 2001-2003, was New York State Poet Laureate from 2004-2006, and is a regular guest on National Public Radio programs. In 2002, Collins was asked to write a poem commemorating the first anniversary of the fall of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on September 11.
Collins is the author of 12 collections of poetry including “Whale Day,” “The Rain in Portugal,” “Aimless Love,” “Horoscopes for the Dead,” “Ballistics,” “The Trouble with Poetry,” “Nine Horses,” “Sailing Alone Around the Room,” “Questions About Angels,” “The Art of Drowning” and “Picnic, Lightning.” He is also the editor of “Poetry 180: A Turning Back to Poetry,” “180 More: Extraordinary Poems for Every Day” and “Bright Wings: An Illustrated Anthology of Poems About Birds.”
Collins’ books will be available to purchase onsite, courtesy of GBF bookseller partner, Politics & Prose.
Tickets are required for this FREE event. Tickets will be released Friday, February 9, at 10 a.m. ET via Eventbrite. There is a limit of 2 tickets per email address. Look for the ticket link on the GBF website at that time.
About the Gaithersburg Book Festival
The Gaithersburg Book Festival is an annual all-day celebration of books, writers and literary excellence, which is celebrating 15 years in 2024. One of the premier literary events in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the 2024 Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm (506 S. Frederick Ave.) in Gaithersburg, Md. Activities will include author appearances, discussions and book signings; writing workshops; a Children’s Village; onsite sales of new and used books; literary exhibitors and food, drink, ice cream and more. FREE admission and accessible shuttle will be available from Shady Grove Metro and Lakeforest Commuter Lot. The Gaithersburg Book Festival also hosts author events in Montgomery County throughout the year as a way to encourage continued appreciation for all things literary. For more information please visit www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org, follow us on X @GburgBookFest or like us on Facebook.