The D.C. library is turning its attention from readers to authors during a two-day festival meant to help local scribes navigate the post-writing waters.

Authors and publishers will come together this weekend at the D.C. Author Festival to discuss the publishing side of things: “how a book gets published, promoted, reviewed and in the hands of readers.” It is the second year for the library’s author festival, and they are expanding it from one day to two.

More than 60 local authors and publishers are slated to take part in a vendor fair taking place on Saturday and a series of workshops on Sunday, both at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library.

From the library:

Saturday Vendor Fair Information
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Enjoy readings, workshops, and more than 60 local author and publisher vendor booths. Special guests Morowa Yejide author of “Time of the Locust” and Ruben Castaneda author of “S Street Rising” will read from their books. Also participating are: A. Peter Bailey, Adina Ferguson, Alan Page, A’Lelia Bundles, Carol McCabe Booker, Cerece Rennie Murphy, Chuck McCutcheon, Erika Ettin, Hannah Sternberg, Jonathan Bardzik, Magic Bullet Comics/DC Conspiracy, Maurice Butler, Nevin Martell, Rebecca Klemm, Shout Mouse Press, Sonja D. Williams, Vijai Nathan and Wendy Jordan.

Sunday Workshops
1:30 p.m.: From Idea to Draft, How Authors Craft a Novel
From outlines to sheer inspiration, there are many ways to write a book. This panel will focus on different methods authors use to get started writing their novels including character development, outlining, world building and more. A variety of authors from different genres will reflect on their process from inspiration to putting words on the page. This will be a great session for writers preparing their first draft or for established authors interested in hearing about another’s craft.

2:30 p.m.: Promoting Your Book
It’s estimated that approximately 1,000,000 books are published each year in the US. This means that authors are always competing to get attention and sales for their books. At this workshop, authors will learn how to do their own PR and/or learn what to expect from a publicist, should they be able to afford one. This workshop will also answer some of the key questions authors want to know about PR including, “How do I choose the right book cover?” “What type of online presence do I need to have?” and more.

3:40 p.m.: Writers and Book Reviews
With so many books out there competing for attention, how do you get yours reviewed? Editors from the Washington Independent Review of Books and Baltimore Magazine offer insight into what attracts them to certain books, which kinds of queries work best, and the rookie mistakes not to make.