Inaugural Berkshire Book Con in Pittsfield

Saturday, April 18 | Pittsfield, MA | Free

The Berkshire Athenaeum is launching its first-ever Berkshire Book Con on April 18, a community-wide celebration of reading and writing that runs from 12:30 to 6:30pm across two locations: the library itself and Hot Plate Brewing Co. next door. Entry is free.

The day includes the culmination of a "Community Read" of Rules for Ghosting by local author Shelly Jay Shore, who will be on hand at 1pm for a talk, QandA, and book signing in the Athenaeum's auditorium. Shore's novel has been the shared text for book clubs across the Berkshires in the lead-up to the event.

After the author talk, the main floor of the library opens as an Exhibit Hall, with fifteen local literary organizations, artists, and bookish creators showing their work—bookbinding, cover design, zines, writer's residencies, and more. Attendees vote on an Alternative Book Cover Contest during this portion of the afternoon.

Things migrate to Hot Plate starting around 3pm, first for a book fair run by Indie Readery & Records, then a social hour where the short story and book cover contest winners are announced, and finally a literary trivia night from 5 to 6:30pm with prizes for first and second place. Each attendee gets an Event Passport to stamp at all four stations; a completed passport earns five bonus trivia points.

Berkshire Athenaeum, One Wendell Ave., Pittsfield, MA. More info at pittsfieldlibrary.org/bookcon.