While the format may have expanded to a festival from a fair, one thing is still the same — University Press of Kentucky (UPK) and University of Kentucky authors and editors will fill Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Book Fair Nov. 17.

For the first time, a full week of readings, luncheons, cocktail parties, trivia and panel discussions were presented leading up to the book fair as part of the inaugural Kentucky Book Festival, including a young adult literature panel held on the UK campus featuring one of the university’s own students. The week of literary events will culminate this weekend at the 37th Kentucky Book Fair 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. The book fair is open to the public and admission and parking are free.

Presented by Kentucky Humanities, the Kentucky Book Fair attracts thousands of readers from across the country. There is a wide selection of books available for purchase, ranging from young adult fiction and children's books to poetry collections and nonfiction works. Founded in 1981, the fair is the state's leading literary event and the largest and oldest event of its kind in the state.

Eleven of the UPK authors and editors who will participate in the Kentucky Book Fair this year have connections to UK. They are:

• alumnus and former faculty member Wendell Berry, author of “The Farm” and "Harlan Hubbard: Life and Work," among others;
• alumnus Jonathan Cullick, author of "Robert Penn Warren's ‘All the King's Men’: A Reader's Companion";
• alumnus James C. Klotter, coauthor of the second edition of "A New History of Kentucky,” among others;
• former faculty member George Ella Lyon, author of "Many-Storied House: Poems,”among others;
• former faculty member Bobbie Ann Mason, author of "Patchwork: A Bobbie Ann Mason Reader";
• former faculty member and alumna Bianca Spriggs, coeditor of "Black Bone";
• former faculty member Mary Ann Taylor-Hall, author of "Out of Nowhere: New and Selected Poems";
• alumnus Milton C. Toby, author of "Taking Shergar: Thoroughbred Racing's Most Famous Cold Case";
• Associate Professor of English Crystal Wilkinson, author of "The Birds of Opulence"; and
• former editor of Odyssey Jeff Worley, author of “Lucky Talk: 26 Short Poems” and editor of “What Comes Down to Us: 25 Contemporary Kentucky Poets.”

In addition, UPK author Doug Brunk will be on hand to sign "Forty Minutes to Glory: Inside the Kentucky Wildcats' 1978 Championship Season” on one of the university’s storied basketball teams.

Other authors and editors of publications from UPK participating in the fair and their corresponding books are:

• James Archambeault, author of "James Archambeault's Historic Kentucky” and "Kentucky Horse Country: Images of the Bluegrass”;
• President of Eastern Kentucky University Michael T. Benson, coauthor of "College for the Commonwealth: A Case for Higher Education in American Democracy";
• Thomas H. Conner, author of "War and Remembrance: The Story of the American Battle Monuments Commission";
• Berry Craig, author of "Kentucky's Rebel Press: Pro-Confederate Media and the Secession Crisis" and “Kentucky Confederates: Secession, Civil War, and the Jackson Purchase”;
• John I. "Hans" Gilderbloom, author of "Chromatic Homes: The Joy of Color in Historic Places";
• Maggie Green, author of “The Essential Plant-Based Pantry” and "The Kentucky Fresh Cookbook”;
• Silas House, coauthor of "Something’s Rising: Appalachians Fighting Mountaintop Removal,” among others;
• Kwoya Fagin Maples, author of "Mend: Poems";
• William Lynwood Montell, author of "Tales from Kentucky Sheriffs,” among others;
• Jeremy Paden, author of "Prison Recipes" and coeditor of "Black Bone";
• Susan Reigler, coauthor of “The Bourbon Tasting Notebook” and "Kentucky Bourbon Country: The Essential Travel Guide,” among others;
• Randolph Paul Runyon, author of "The Mentelles: Mary Todd Lincoln, Henry Clay, and the Immigrant Family Who Educated Antebellum Kentucky”;
• Frederick Smock, author of “On Poetry: Palm-of-the-Hand Essays” and editor of "The American Voice Anthology of Poetry”; 
• Richard Taylor, author of "Elkhorn: Evolution of a Kentucky Landscape"; and
• Mike Veach, coauthor of “The Bourbon Tasting Notebook” and author of "Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey: An American Heritage.”

Several other current UK faculty, students and alumni will also take part in the Kentucky Book Fair. These authors are:

• alumna Nancy Kelly Allen, author of "Dear Komodo Dragon";
• UK student Marty Anderson, author of "The Muriad";
• alumnus Keen Babbage, author of "Four Vital Questions for High School Seniors";
• alumnus Bernard Clay, author of "English Lit";
• alumna J.T. "Judy" Cooper, author of "Viral";
• Psychology Professor Jonathan Golding, author of "A Beginner's Guide to College Success";
• neuroscience freshman Lauren Hudson, author of "The Deception";
• alumnus David T. Miller, coauthor of "Chicago Heights: Little Joe College, the Outfit, and the Fall of Sam Giancana";
• alumnus Wayne Onkst, author of "Presidential Visits to Kentucky: 1819-2017";
• Director of Creative Writing Hannah Pittard, author of "Visible Empire";
• former faculty member Daniel Blake Smith, author of "Mr. Wonderful";
• former faculty member P.G. "Patricia" Smith, author of "Thaddeus Lamb, or Taking America Back";
• alumna and record holder for most points scored for UK basketball Valerie Still, author of "Playing Black and Blue: Still I Rise"; and
• alumna Kayla Rae Whitaker, the author of "The Animators."

And one more UK connection is the writer behind "The Last Resort: Journal of a Salt River Camp 1942-43." The journal featured in the work was penned by UK alumnus John C. Goodlett, a noted botanist, plant geographer and teacher who died in 1967. The journal was edited for publication by Sallie Showalter.

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue