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2008 Equality State Book Festival draws big crowds and rave reviews!

The Equality State Book Festival celebrated books, writers, reading and the written word from Thursday, Sept. 18 through Saturday, Sept. 20,2008 at Casper College and at various locations around Casper. The celebration marked the 22nd anniversary of the annual Casper College/ARTCORE literary conference. Over three days, more than 35 authors gave readings, led workshops and talked on panels. Authors included poets, novelists, historians, journalists, and memoir writers. They ranged from such headliners as Gary Ferguson, C.J. Box, Alexandra Fuller and Jack Gantos to lesser knowns. A dozen more unpaid authors also read from their works in 15-minute intervals all day Saturday. All authors had strong Wyoming connections in their lives and work.

All told, more than 2,800 people attended festival events. We hope to continue to encourage all Wyoming readers and writers in the future. The year 2006 saw the first Equality State Book Festival in Casper. In September 2007, the Wyoming Center for the Book at the Wyoming State Library in Cheyenne stepped up and put on the first Wyoming Book Festival. Casper College has now produced a second Equality State Book Festival, and the Center for the Book has earmarked Sept. 19, 2009 for a second Wyoming Book Festival. Make sense? We invite everyone with an appreciation for the literary arts to learn more about the next Wyoming Book Festival and we hope the Cheyenne-Casper swap will continue.

"What a fun evening! I always enjoy that group - great conversation and expansive thinking! I appreciated Gary Ferguson’s trilogy of beauty, community, mystery...Thank you for your efforts on this always successful fete!"

Kathy Dolan - CC College Board Member

"You should be so pleased with the 2008 Equality State Book Festival! Every segment I attended was excellent - the speakers were well chosen and with plenty of variety. Thanks for your efforts to educate and entertain!"

Jackie Ellis - Festival Participant

"It was a very stimulating 3 days - every writer offered probing insights and questions that I will be pondering for a long while. The festival is intimate."

Anonymous participant

"Overall, one of the best festivals I’ve ever attended. I especially enjoyed the spirit of this one. It had good energy, among both the participants and the attendees. I think that you as organizers had a lot to do with establishing that tone. Bravo."

Russell Rowland - Conference Evaluator

"It was a good event for sure; well worth the drive - the Friday banquet, the Slam, Saturday displays, readings and panels. Thank you and the other organizers for all your hard work."

Rick Kempa - Fest participant

"I loved the chance to meet and mingle with writers from the region, so the ESBF retains its great reputation as a cultural gathering that enhances bonds in ways that will pay off for Casper and the state in the general. You run an event that writers like - which is a big plus. Biggest strength to me: Quality of the panels."

Alyson Hagy - Author

"Thanks again for allowing me to be a part of a tremendously meaningful event. Everything ran like clockwork. Be proud."

Mark Jenkins - Author