Detroit Festival of Books and the Detroit Public Library: ‘Bookfest at the Main’
Detroit— The Detroit Festival of Books is pleased to announce a new addition to this year’s eighth-annual festival: nationally prominent authors presenting and doing Q&A on Friday, July 18, 2025, two days prior to the Sunday, July 20, Bookfest event.
“Bookfest at the Main,” in its first year, will be a free event at the Main Branch of the Detroit Public Library on Woodward Avenue, on Friday, July 18 from noon to 6 p.m. Portions of the program will be featured on PBS’s national program “PBS Books,” which is produced in Detroit. Participants in “Bookfest at the Main” will include:
- Mark Crilley, Detroit native and author-illustrator, famous for “Miki Falls” and “Brody’s Ghost.” His works have been favorably compared to “Star Wars” and “The Wizard of Oz.”
- Freeway Ricky Ross, a former drug trafficker from Los Angeles, whose autobiography discusses the effects of the crack-cocaine epidemic on American cities.
- Curtis Chin, Detroit native, comedy writer, and documentary film producer, whose memoir discusses growing up Asian American in the Black and white city of Detroit and coming out in his working-class immigrant community.
- The Astro Twins, Detroit natives and astrologers. Twins Tali Edut and Ophira Edut have written four books, are the featured astrology columnists for Elle magazine’s website, and are also advice columnists.
Select talks will be moderated by Briana Rice.
Supporting presenters include: Melissa F. Kaelin, Vanessa Ivy Rose, Alex B. Hill, and Barbara Henning.
“We could not be more delighted than to be collaborating with the Detroit Public Library and PBS Books,” said Ryan M. Place, Bookfest’s founder and chairman. “‘Bookfest at the Main’ is very much something to get excited about.”
Livestream coverage of Detroit Bookfest will be available on pbsbooks.org, across PBS Books social media platforms, and on the PBS Books YouTube channel—be sure to subscribe for updates and live access. “PBS Books is all about connecting people with great stories and the voices behind them—from authors to filmmakers to thought leaders. I’m so excited we’re bringing the energy of Detroit Bookfest to audiences everywhere through our livestream coverage across PBS Books platforms,” said Lauren Smith Jurcak, executive producer of national projects at Detroit PBS / PBS Books.
According to Cully Sommers, the manager of Popular Library/Music, Arts and Literature at the Detroit Public Library, “The Library is perfectly suited to host this celebration of authors and books, and we are thrilled to be partnering with the Detroit Bookfest to bring this event to the people of Detroit.”
About Detroit Bookfest
Detroit Bookfest, now in its eighth year, has set a goal of collecting 2,000 donated children’s books at the July 20 festival, in conjunction with Detroit-based nonprofit Birdie’s Bookmobile. Attendees with the means to do so are encouraged to bring new and gently used children’s books and drop them in one of four bright-color receptacles stationed around the festival.
About the Detroit Public Library
The Detroit Public Library (DPL) is the largest public library system in the state of Michigan. The Main Library and its neighborhood branches make it one of the most valuable and accessible public institutions in the state. On a daily basis, our libraries assist hundreds of Detroiters by providing computer and internet access, supporting residents who want to improve their literacy skills or who are seeking employment, and by offering quality fun and educational programs and activities for children, teens, adults and seniors.
About PBS Books
Started in 2014 by Detroit PBS, PBS Books is a trusted national brand and a multiplatform initiative connecting diverse audiences to books through PBS stations and programming, daily and original content, book fairs, conferences, live performances, screenings and other book-related events. The vision of PBS Books is to foster a community of people engaged in unique literary experiences that spark their curiosity, promote dialogue and inspire learning. PBS Books aims to provide context for complex issues — both national and local. In early 2019 with the support of the Knight Foundation and the Wyncote Foundation, PBS Books launched a free Library Engagement Program, which currently has more than 1,800 library partners. Today, PBS Books produces regular virtual content promoting critical dialogue about current topics and critical issues in communities across the U.S. To learn more, please visit: www.pbsbooks.org.
