Donya Craddock DALLAS/FT. WORTH- To celebrate National Literacy Month, Literary Arts Connection of Texas (L.A.C.) in collaboration with The Dock Bookshop will host the DFW Literary SoulFEST, September 24-27, 2009. The goal of this event is to advocate, promote, and celebrate the literary arts and literacy and bring community awareness to issues concerning our youth, health, environment, and economy as well as support the mission of L.A.C.

Through the DFW Literary SoulFEST (dfwliterarysoulfest.com), L.A.C. will continue to support Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison in promoting the significance of literacy in Texas with the “Reading is BIG In Texas” campaign. Highlights include: kick-off events September 24 and 25 - Men in the Middle by Southern Christian Leadership Conference Tarrant County Chapter, Author Meet & Greet and a slumber party hosted by New York Times bestselling author Mary B. Morrison—at the Dock Bookshop; Literary Parade starting at Ella Mae Shamblee Library. Other festivities—Author Showcase, business expo, guest speakers, live entertainment, workshops and seminars, green initiatives, storytelling, kidzone, food and more on Saturday, September 26 from 10a.m.-6p.m. and Sunday, September 27, 11a.m.-6p.m. at the Fort Worth Event Center.

This four-day event will attract a wide array of authors, publishers, writers, artists, book clubs, avid readers, scholars, families, students, churches and businesses. Proceeds benefit the International Book Project in Cameroon and Ghana and community-based literacy projects. Sponsors include: The Dock Bookshop, JimAustinOnline, Fort Worth Event Center, Rollerworld, Fort Worth Black News, Riggins Construction, Texas Commission of the Arts, AirJamSports, and TriTV. Participating authors from diverse genres include Dr Monica Anderson, Reshonda Tate Billingsley, Anna Black, Anthony Maurice Brown, Cheryl Lacey Donovan, B. Echols, Attorney Bobbie Edmonds, Lorraine Elzia, Terreni Griffin, Kariem Abdul Haqq, Dr. Stan Harris, Pastor Renee Hornbuckle, Joyce McCoo, Gretta Moore, Stephanie Morris, Mary B Morrison, Tameka Newhouse, Francis Ray, Maurice Skillern, Natia Steans, Pat Simmons, Gerald Walker, Lisa Watson, and Don Willis.
For more information, www.dfwliterarysoulfest.com or call (817)457-5700.