Literary Festivals Go Virtual
In an article for their June/July 2020 issue, Poets & Writers covers literary festivals hosting their events virutally due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In the time of COVID-19 and social distancing, literary organizations face a difficult reality regarding in-person festivals and conferences. Dozens of events previously scheduled for the summer of 2020, some years in the making, have been canceled or postponed—events that typically bring together hundreds and thousands of readers, writers, and literary enthusiasts," Thea Prieto writes.
"But as stay-at-home orders swept the United States this spring, many organizers felt a more pressing need for community connection than ever before and sprung into action, reimagining their events in new, online formats. The Split This Rock poetry festival, originally scheduled for March in Washington, D.C., quickly pivoted to offer a virtual social-change book fair and livestreamed readings throughout May and June."
The article goes on to reflect on other literary festivals moving or moved to virtual formats. Read the full article at Poets & Writers' website.