Thank you to all who attended the
2023 Milford Readers & Writers Festival
We are already planning the 2024 festival.
Save the Date Sept 12-14-15
Harvey Fierstein
Saturday, Sept. 23 — 3:45-5 pm – ticketed event – Milford Theater
Harvey Fierstein in Conversation with David Drake
I Was Better Last Night, by Harvey Fierstein is a hilarious memoir from the cultural icon, gay rights activist, and four-time Tony Award-winning actor and playwright. He is best known for Torch Song Trilogy and La Cage aux Folles, and sure to amuse and delight with his hilarious experiences in the entertainment industry. (more information)
Amanda McBroom
Friday, Sept. 22 — 7-9 pm – ticketed event – Milford Theater
An evening of songs and conversation with the delightful Amanda McBroom, called the greatest cabaret performer of her generation. She exploded on the scene when Bette Midler performed “The Rose” written by Amanda. (more information)
Charles Busch
Saturday, Sept. 23 — 11:30 am – 1 pm – ticketed event – Milford Theater
Charles Busch in Conversation with Dick Scanlan
Leading Lady, Charles Busch – His memoir, Leading Lady, is a poignant, deliciously anecdotal account of a talented artist’s Oz-like journey in the worlds of Off-Broadway, Broadway, and Hollywood. (more information)
Rewriting Shakespeare
Saturday, Sept. 23 — 10 – 11:15 am – ticketed event – Milford Theater
Dr. Ismaili AbuBakr, Rob Armstrong, and Lenore Hart
Should books be revised to reflect social change? Balancing history, accuracy, and sensitivity. A panel discussion on the shifting cultural norms that have prompted revisions in works by Roald Dahl, R.L Stine, and Ursula K. Le Guin, among others. (more information)
Vampires, Batman, Wytches, OH MY!
Saturday, Sept. 23 — 2:15 – 3:30 pm – ticketed event – Milford Theater
Scott Snyder, graphic novelist and comic book writer, will talk with Joe Ott about his career writing for major comic super heroes and his short stories and graphic novels in the fantasy and horror genre. (more information)
Auxiliary Panels
FREE - More panels being added. Check back to see what's happening.
SCI FI - Monsters That Make Us
Saturday, Sept. 23 — 11 am – 12:15 pm Pike County Public Library
The panel includes the authors Robert Levy, Dr. Charles E. Gannon, Carol Gyzander and Stephanie Feldman, moderated by Karen Heuler. (More information)
What the Dead Know
Sunday, Sept. 24 — 11 am – 12:30 pm – Good Shepherd Episcopal Church
Learning About Life as a NYC Death Investigator by Barbara Butcher. Interviewed by bestseller spy thriller author, David Lender. (More information)
A Lynching in Port Jervis
Sunday, Sept. 24 — 1 – 2:30 pm – Good Shepherd Episcopal Church
Conversation between author Michael J. Worden and Monroe County NAACP Chapter President Christa Caceres. (More information)
Where Fiction Meets History
Sunday, Sept. 24 — 3 – 4:30 pm – Good Shepherd Episcopal Church
Gideon’s Revolution and the Treason of Benedict Arnold, with author Brian Carso and ethicist Joseph Curran. (More information)
The Picture Book - An Experience for a Child
Saturday, Sept. 23 — 12:30 – 1:45 pm – Pike County Public Library
A demonstration by the multi-talented Lindsay Barrett George on creating a children’s book. (More information)
Young Authors - A Journey in Publishing
Saturday, Sept. 23 —2 – 3:15 pm – Pike County Public Library
Teen authors, Hallie, Auttie and Owen will discuss their books and journeys in publishing at a young age. (More information)
Living Up River, Artful Homes, Idyllic Lives
Sunday, Sept. 24 — 1 – 2:15 pm – The Waterwheel
Living Upriver by Barbara de Vries. In discussion with Emma Austen Tuccillo (More information)
Perspectives on Cancer - Finding Healing and Hope
Sunday, Sept. 24 — 2:30 – 3:45 pm – The Waterwheel
Tim Sohn in discussion with Savio P. Clemente (More information)
Open Mic CANCELLED
Saturday, Sept. 23 — 7:45 – 9:30 pm – La Posada
DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL, WE HAD TO CANCEL THIS EVENT
Come and share readings and acoustic songs of original works!
Hosted by Michelle Oram & Kristin Albrecht
Kristin is a business owner and local performer. She currently hosts the Time’s Right Open Mic, performs with the Dingmans Ferry Theatre, and is lead vocalist for the band Big Ska.
Michelle Oram has been teaching thousands to find their own voice in the arts for over 30 years. She wrote a children’s book and CD “Songs of the Woods” encouraging children of all ages to begin and end each day with a song from the heart. (Full bio)
Local Authors with Their Books
Saturday, Sept. 23 —11 am – 2 pm – Pike County Public Library
Local Authors will be at the Pike County Public Library out front in tents and on the porch.
Kimberly G. Giarratano, Roselee Blooston, J.C. Plaza, Sue Thompson, Patrick R. Field, Hallie Balogh, Auttie Grace, Barbara Kelly, Marc Dickerson, Adam Palladino, Lucia Chiarelli, Karen Cohen, Kerry Dean Carso, Tim Hoppey, and Pencils Writers’ Group
Illustrations by Bob Eckstein from the 2022 Festival
Readers
Building on the tradition of story telling and the participatory energy of book clubs, we invite readers to share their thoughts, with the authors.
Writers
“This festival shows us the worldwide importance of coming together to share ideas and build community.”
-Gloria Steinem
Conversation
The Milford Readers and Writers Festival aims to inspire conversations between people who love to read books and people who write them.