Submitted by the Orcas Library

Where can book lovers go to rub shoulders with the likes of Timothy Egan, Nicola Griffith and Luis Alberto Urrea, and also take in a little jaw-dropping splendor while they’re at it? If you’re a book lover, you owe it to yourself to make the trip at least once to the Orcas Island Lit Fest.

Now in its third year, the festival has just announced a star-studded lineup of featured artists, including best-selling memoirist Claire Dederer, Pulitzer-prize winner Timothy Egan, two-time Washington State Book Award winner Nicola Griffith, international best-selling author Arthur Phillips and best-selling award-winning author Luis Alberto Urrea.

The festival, slated for April 17-19, will start off Friday night with a Lit Walk held at multiple venues around the village of Eastsound, followed by two days of panels, readings and a book fair hosted at the Orcas Center for the Performing Arts. The OILF Kids’ Fest, a free community-focused event, will take place Saturday morning at the Orcas Island Library.

“We are truly honored to host such a prestigious lineup in our third year,” said Jule Treneer, co-founder of the Orcas Island Lit Fest. “In addition to our featured artists, we’ll be welcoming over 50 phenomenal writers from the Pacific Northwest and beyond, folks like memoirist Claire Dederer, award-winning novelist Joan Frank and author and naturalist Lyanda Lynn Haupt. A remarkable lineup for a one-of-a-kind event.”

“We’re passionate about bringing forth great conversations about great writing,” added Scott Hutchins, Orcas Island Lit Fest co-founder and vice president. “Smart discussions, unforgettable readings, literary fun, live music, all in a majestic setting — the Orcas Island Lit Fest has it all.”

The Orcas Island Lit Fest is an annual celebration of literature and community held in an inspiringly beautiful place. OILF brings together renowned authors and avid readers, visitors and locals, for three days of panels, readings and events that highlight the vibrant literary culture of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. From Pulitzer Prize-winners to gifted new voices, our festival lineup represents the finest in contemporary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and more. The Orcas Island Lit Fest is an opportunity to engage with world-class writers and their work in an intimate, inclusive setting that welcomes everyone who loves books.

Detailed information about OILF and this year’s headlining authors, as well as a link to purchase tickets, can be found on the festival website oilf.org. OILF news and updates are also available on our Facebook and Instagram pages.