Today, the UCF College of Education has 60 renowned national and local authors fully subscribed to the upcoming UCF Book Festival, scheduled for April 17 on the university campus in Orlando.
“We’re sold out,” said Dr. Bob Williams, head of the committee responsible for selecting authors from among a host of applicants. “Even Jack Kerouac himself would be shut out if he suddenly showed up,” Williams said.
Event planners were extremely pleased to have some local favorites among participating authors, notably Bob Morris, Pat Duggins, Greg Dawson, and UCF’s own Richard Lapchick. Authors Sharon Draper and James Grippando and former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins have also secured places at the UCF Book Festival. “As for Kerouac,” said Williams, “I think he missed our invitation while he was on the road.”