Join Bookmarks for a night of conversation and performance featuring novelists and musicians Josh Ritter and Brendan Slocumb on Friday, September 23 at 8:30 pm at Hanesbrands Theatre!

$25 tickets will include a presigned paperback copy of The Great Glorious Goddamn Of It All by Josh Ritter with an add-on option for a presigned hardcover copy of The Violin Conspiracy, by Brendan Slocumb. This is the only event where Josh Ritter will be appearing during the festival. You can see Brendan Slocumb for free on Saturday, September 24.

Details: 

• When: Friday, September 23 at 8:30 pm
• Where: Hanesbrands Theatre (209 North Spruce Street)
• Cost: $25 (+ taxes & fees); includes admission to the event and a pre-signed paperback of Ritter's book The Great Glorious Goddamn Of It All
• Tickets go on sale to the public on Tuesday, September 6, or join us for our Festival Launch Party to receive early access to all festival ticket sales

About Josh Ritter

Josh Ritter is an American singer, songwriter, musician and author whose albums include The Animal Years and So Runs the World Away. His latest novel, The Great Glorious Goddamn Of It All is a lyrical, sweeping novel about the last days of lumberjacks.

In the tiny timber town of Cordelia, Idaho, everyone has heard tales of the Applegates. Local legend says their family line boasts some of the greatest lumberjacks to ever roam the American West, and from the moment young Weldon stepped foot in the deep Cordelia woods as a child, he dreamed of joining the rowdy ranks of his ancestors in their epic axe-swinging adventures. But at the beginning of the twentieth century, times are changing fast, and the jacks are dying out.

On his deathbed nearly a century later, Weldon Applegate recounts his life in all its glory, filled with tall tales writ large with murder, mayhem, avalanches and bootlegging. It's the story of dark pine forests brewing with ancient magic, and Weldon's struggle as a boy to keep his father's inherited timber claim, the Lost Lot, from the ravenous clutches of Linden Laughlin.

About Brendan Slocumb

Brendan Slocumb holds a degree in music education from UNCG, has been a public and private school music educator for over 20 years and has performed with orchestras throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. His debut novel, The Violin Conspiracy, is about a quest to recover an heirloom violin on the eve of the most prestigious musical competition in the world.

Growing up Black in rural North Carolina, Ray McMillian’s life is already mapped out. But Ray has a gift and a dream—he’s determined to become a world-class professional violinist, and nothing will stand in his way. Not his mother, who wants him to stop making such a racket; not the fact that he can’t afford a violin suitable to his talents; not even the racism inherent in the world of classical music.

When he discovers that his beat-up, family fiddle is actually a priceless Stradivarius, all his dreams suddenly seem within reach, and together, Ray and his violin take the world by storm. But on the eve of the renowned and cutthroat Tchaikovsky Competition—the Olympics of classical music—the violin is stolen, a ransom note for five million dollars left in its place. Without it, Ray feels like he's lost a piece of himself. As the competition approaches, Ray must not only reclaim his precious violin, but prove to himself—and the world—that no matter the outcome, there has always been a truly great musician within him.

By registering and attending this event, you agree to have your email address added to our newsletter distribution list. You may opt out at any time.

Please be advised that by attending this event your photograph or image may be taken in connection with Bookmarks. To opt out, please see a staff member. As such, you agree to relinquish any reasonable expectation of privacy and understand that the use of your image does not violate any right of privacy, law regulation, or agreement. Moreover, you hereby grant permission to Bookmarks and its representatives to use, or authorize others to use, any photographic, motion picture, image, or recording, or other record of your participation in activities in connection with Bookmarks, in whole or in part, throughout the universe in perpetuity, in all media and means, now known or hereafter developed or discovered, solely for promotional and related purposes.

Please be aware of our Code of Conduct: Bookmarks has a zero tolerance policy for harassment of any kind in person or social media, including but not limited to: stalking; intimidation; offensive verbal comments; physical assault and/or battery; harassing or non-consensual photography or recording; sustained disruption of programs, panels, signings, and other events; bathroom policing; inappropriate physical contact; and unwelcome physical attention, in relation to, but not limited to: race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, age, body size, ability, appearance, religion, citizenship, pregnancy. If a person engages in harassing behavior, Bookmarks Staff will take prompt action in any form they deem appropriate, including but not limited to expulsion from the Bookmarks sponsored event or premises. This policy applies to everyone (exhibitors, attendees, authors, speakers, guests, press, staff, board members, and volunteers) at all of Bookmarks events and programming. Anyone can report harassment. If someone exhibits behavior that has made you uncomfortable, you should immediately contact Bookmarks staff or security. We will remove and ban you from events if you violate this code of conduct. If removed from the event, you will not receive a refund of any kind. By registering for this event, you are agreeing to follow this code of conduct.