Exeter Literary Festival
April 5, 2025
Exeter Town Hall
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2025 Featured Authors
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2025 Schedule of Events
9:30 am
Cynthia Copeland, author of the middle grade graphic novels Drive and Cub
(Held at the Exeter Public Library)
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Town Hall Main Events
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11am
J. Courtney Sullivan in conversation with Katie Adams
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12:15pm
Keith O'Brien in conversation with Dan Provost
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Independent Publishing in the Modern World
Featuring authors Renay Allen, Michael Cameron Ward, Justin Corriss and Sara North
Moderated by Lara Bricker
(Located in the upstairs gallery)
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1:30pm
Damsels and Dragons: Romance, Fantasy, and Marrying the Two
Featuring authors Jacquelyn Benson, Laura Mayo, and Lyra Selene
Moderated by Naomi Farr
Echoes of Now: Poets of the Present Moment
Featuring poets K. Iver, Cate Marvin, and Nathan McClain curated by Diannely Antigua
(Located in the upstairs gallery)
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2:45pm
Family and Finding Home
Featuring authors Jane Brox and Alexandra Chan
Moderated by Stef Kiper Schmidt
Exeter High School Student Poetry
(Located in the upstairs gallery)
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4pm
Dr. Tiya Miles in conversation with Caleb Gayle
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All Saturday daytime events are free and open to the public
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Community partner events during the weekend include:
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Friday night 6pm kick-off party at Exeter Public Library - Latin concert (free)
Friday night 8pm after-party at TEAM's Art Space - 111r Water St
Sunday at 2pm at Art Up Front St. - Ekphrastic art/poem closing party (free)
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Exeter Literary Festival presents...
2nd Annual "Storefront Poetry"
For the entire month of April, stroll along the downtown shops and read local poets' offerings in the windows. Here is one of the featured poems by Exeter's own Sarah Anderson:
(for more poems click the "poems & maps" page above)
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That suit is pale pink light blue sky
In a metallic, crinkled beekeeper suit of sky dipped
in silver, I stand on a tall mound of soil
dragging a long fork dipped in silver.
My daughter used to tell me she wanted
to be astronaut when she grew up. I cannot fathom
a mother letting go that much.
Sweetie, I’m not going anywhere,
but still, take our laughter to the soil mountain.
Wait for me there.
Yes, I was always the one with the long fork. Crinkle
the moment, the silver. Protect it. I may not be able to help you
if you start sliding. I’m trying to be mother, hero, jester,
all at once, and I’m gathering you
into me. I’m holding you and we’re laughing.
We’re on the edge of this mountain. Hold tight.
Sarah Anderson, Exeter
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ExeterLitFest is a 501(c) 3, with an all-volunteer board. We value all the ways you support us—
Donations to ExeterLitFest are tax deductible.