Aaaay! Henry Winkler (the Fonz) to headline Bowling Green book festival

Author/actress Mary McDonough from ‘The Waltons’ also to appear

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (Oct. 24, 2012) – Well-known actor, author, producer and director Henry Winkler will headline the 15th annual Southern Kentucky Book Fest, scheduled for April 20.

Best known for his portrayal of “The Fonz” for 10 seasons on “Happy Days” (1974-1984), Winkler is one of the most recognized actors in the world. In 2003, he began writing a series of children’s novels with his partner Lin Oliver entitled, “Hank Zipzer: The World’s Greatest Under-Achiever.”

Inspired by Winkler’s struggle throughout his education because of learning challenges, the books have appeared on several bestseller lists including “The New York Times” and “The Los Angeles Times.” In 2011, Winkler published “I Never Met an Idiot on the River,” a collection of anecdotes and heartfelt observations he gathered while fly fishing in Montana. Earlier this year, he released the first installment of a new children’s Ghost Buddy series.

“We couldn’t be happier to have the talented Henry Winkler be a part of our upcoming SOKY Book Fest,” said Kristie Lowry, literary outreach coordinator. “From his long-running TV series and cinema exposure to his highly successful children’s book series, Winkler will attract a large fan base from a wide range of ages.”

Bestselling children’s author Obert Skye will headline Children’s Day on April 19. Best known for the “Leven Thumps” and “Pillagy” series, Skye also is the author of the comic novels “The Creature from My Closet.” Other children and youth authors attending include Amy Ignatow with “The Popularity Papers” series and Jarrett Krosoczka, author of the “Lunch Lady” series. Krosoczka also will lead a writing workshop on the afternoon of Book Fest for children in upper elementary and middle school grades.

Mary McDonough, the actress best known for her role as Erin Walton from “The Waltons,” will be in attendance with her book “Lessons from the Mountain, What I Learned from Erin Walton.” McDonough is a public speaker and workshop leader who focuses on personal change, creating a balanced life, and returning to a sense of self. McDonough will give a presentation on body image during a breakfast on April 20.

More than 125 authors for adults and children will be in attendance at the 2013 SOKY Book Fest, one of the largest, most successful book festivals in the state. All Book Fest events, including the Kentucky Writers Conference, will take place at the Knicely Conference Center in Bowling Green. The Kentucky Writers Conference on April 19 will appeal to new and experienced writers, educators, and high school and college students.

At the conference, a dozen authors attending the Book Fest will offer workshops on various writing topics from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Children’s Day will also be April 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is a day devoted to children in kindergarten through middle school, teachers and librarians. The main Book Fest event with all participating authors will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 20. All events are free and open to the public except for the breakfast with Mary McDonough and Friday night’s “Meet the Authors” reception.

SOKY Book Fest is a partnership project of WKU Libraries, Warren County Public Library and Barnes and Noble Booksellers. For more information, visit sokybookfest.org or contact Book Fest organizer Kristie Lowry at WKU Libraries at 1-270-745-4502 or kristie.lowry@wku.edu.