Annual book festival this week

The Whitefish Library Association will host its annual authors’ celebration the Dorothy M. Johnson Book Festival this week.

On Thursday, May 11, from 7-9 p.m., in the Heckathorn Community Room at the Whitefish Community Library, historian and publisher Dale Burk will present a seminar on how he was encouraged by Dorothy M. Johnson, a Whitefish author. Burk is a third generation Montana and was the first Montana writer to be awarded a prestigious Nieman Fellowship for Professional Journalists to Harvard University. He is the widely-published author of several books, including his book “Dale Burk’s Montana” and “Montana Hunting Guide,” now in its 14th edition. Burk was a personal friend of author and screen writer A.B. Guthrie.

On Friday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to noon, in the Heckathorn Community Room, Burk along with native Montanan, Carol Buchanan will present a seminar. Buchanan was a Spur Award in 2009, and a Spur Finalist award in 2011 for her novels “God’s Thunderbolt: The Vigilantes of Montana” and “God Under Ice.” The Whitefish Library Association honored her with its first “In the Spirit of Dorothy Johnson” award in 2016 for her work in keeping alive the stories of the Old West.

Also on Friday, from 1-3 p.m., Author Marie Martin, former Columbia Falls resident will present a seminar on character development. Martin has published several thrillers set in the area, including “Maternal Harbor,” “Harboured Secrets” and “Ratham Creek.”

Seats for each seminar can be reserved for $20 each for adults and $10 for students.

The festival concludes at the O’Shaughnessy Center on Friday, May 12, from 6–9 p.m.

This celebration recognizes and honors Montana authors from around the state. There will be a silent auction and a chance to win beautiful gift baskets. Authors will be available to visit with and their autographed books will be available for purchase. Authors who have not been contacted should contact the library for more information.

The second Spirit of Dorothy Johnson award will be presented at the festival.

The celebration is sponsored by the Whitefish Library Association.

For more information on how to reserve a table to display your books, or attend one or all of the seminars, contact the Whitefish Community Library at 862-9914.