Literary lovers celebrate the written word, authors and engaging conversations at the second annual New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane

Tulane Today today@tulane.edu
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The second annual New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University, held March 9-11, had the Tulane uptown campus buzzing with literary lovers, more than 130 local, regional and national authors, and a range of thought-provoking and inspiring panel discussions. Here is a look back at some of the scenes from the festival.

(Photos by Paula Burch-Celentano, Rusty Costanza, Cheryl Gerber, and Dinah Rogers) 

Festivalgoers make their way into the Kendall Cram Lecture Hall for the next author presentation. The three-day celebration of literature and culture featured over 130 renowned and rising authors participating in over 80 sessions.
Festivalgoers make their way into the Kendall Cram Lecture Hall for an author presentation. The three-day celebration of literature and culture featured renowned and rising authors participating in over 80 sessions.
Jill Biden
First Lady of the United States Jill Biden (center) addresses the crowd during a surprise visit to the festival. She attended a session titled "Historical Fiction: Illuminating the Human Spirit," which featured moderator and author Morgan Babst (left) with fellow authors Geraldine Brooks, Sadeqa Johnson (right) and Katy Simpson Smith (far right).
Mardi Gras for the Mind signage
Dubbed a "Mardi Gras for the Mind," the festival attracted literary lovers near and far to the Tulane campus.
Imani Parry, far left, and Richard Ford, left, sign books in the Pedersen Lobby.
Authors Imani Perry (far left) and Richard Ford (left) sign books in the Pedersen Lobby.
Attendees browse books for sale by featured Book Fesitval authors in between panels.
Between panels, attendees browse books for sale by featured festival authors.
Mike Strecker, Tulane’s assistant VP of communications and marketing, fields question from the young audience at the Family Day event in Fogelman Arena. Fifty Tulane faculty, staff and alums appeared on panels discussing various topics during the 3-day f
Mike Strecker, Tulane’s assistant vice president of communications and marketing and children's author, fields question from the young audience at the Family Day event in Avron B. Fogelman Arena in Devlin Fieldhouse. About 50 Tulane faculty, staff and alums appeared on panels discussing various topics and books during the three-day festival.
The Preservation Hall All-Stars close out the festival during the crawfish boil in the Hyatt Regency Tent on the Berger Family Lawn.
The Preservation Hall All-Stars close out the festival during a crawfish boil in the Hyatt Regency Tent on the Berger Family Lawn.