Former Vice President Mike Pence has released plans to travel down to the Magnolia State to attend this year’s Mississippi Book Festival, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 19.
The current presidential candidate is anticipated to share his perspective on politics, public service, and taking part in history during a panel discussion at 2:45 p.m. Pence will be joined by former U.S. Representative Gregg Harper, who will serve as moderator while Pence discusses his new autobiography, So Help Me God.
“From his early days in Indiana to his role in the Trump administration, Mike Pence’s book charts the key events (and people) that led him to the historic moment on January 6th, when he reconvened Congress to uphold the peaceful transfer of power,” festival officials wrote on social media.
In addition, festivalgoers will be invited to attend a political panel discussion with The Washington Post journalist Ben Terris, The New York Times senior political correspondent Jonathan Martin, and USA TODAY White House correspondent Joey Garrison. Pence is not expected to be part of the panel.
The event has also scheduled an extra panel discussion focusing on the most pivotal conflicts in American history with panelists E. R. Lutken, Heather Marie Stur, Peter Cozzens, and Chris Wimmer with moderator Andrew Wiest.
Other headliners at the Mississippi Book Festival include world-renowned writers Lois Lowry, Jeannette Walls, Michael Farris Smith, Richard Russo, Richard Ford, Jeff Shaara, Simon Winchester, and James McBride.
Those who attend the free event can also enjoy food from local vendors, live music, and watch live art demonstrations. A Kids Corner with colorful books, storytelling sessions, and crafts will be available inside the State Capitol building and several surrounding tents.
Here’s the updated schedule for this year’s Mississippi Book Festival:
Panel Discussions
Starting at 9:30 a.m.
- Page to Screen at Galloway Reception
- Out in Focus at State Capitol 113
- Dogwood Press at State Capitol 204
- Memoir at Galloway Fellowship Center
- KidNote: Literary Superhero Jason Reynolds at Galloway Sanctuary
- All Night, All Day at State Capitol 201 A
- True Crime at State Capitol 201 H
- Nature & Environment at C-Span/Old Supreme Court
Starting at 10:45 a.m.
- The New York Review of Books at State Capitol 113
- Picturing the South at State Capitol 204
- Civil Rights at State Capitol 201 H
- Grit Lit at State Capitol 201 A
- A View from Washington at C-Span/Old Supreme Court
- In Conversation with Jeannette Walls at Galloway Fellowship Center
- Marriage, Memoir, & Misadventure at Galloway Reception
- In Conversation with Lois Lowry at Galloway Sanctuary
Starting at 12:00 p.m.
- Young Adult at State Capitol 201 H
- Historical Fiction at State Capitol 201 A
- In Conversation with Richard Ford at State Capitol 113
- In Conversation with Jeff Shaara at C-Span/Old Supreme Court
- Poetry at State Capitol 204
- Storytelling with Carmen Agra Deedy at Galloway Fellowship Center
- In Conversation with James McBride at Galloway Sanctuary
- Novel Women at Galloway Reception
Starting at 1:30 p.m.
- In Conversation with Simon Winchester at State Capitol 113
- Author Biography at C-Span/Old Supreme Court
- Words the Bind at Galloway Fellowship Center
- In Conversation with Michael Farris Smith at Galloway Reception
- Voices of the Past at State Capitol 201 A
- In Conversation with Ann Patchett & Lindsay Lynch at Galloway Sanctuary
- Middle Grade Dreams at State Capitol 201 H
- Career Memoir at State Capitol 204
Starting at 2:45 p.m.
- Picture This! at State Capitol 201 H
- Book Club Picks at Galloway Reception
- Fact & Fiction with Abrams at State Capitol 113
- Mississippi Football at State Capitol 204
- In Conversation with Mike Pence at C-Span/Old Supreme Court
- Cookbooks & Culture at Galloway Fellowship Center
- Southern Culture at State Capitol 201 A
- In Conversation with Richard Russo at Galloway Sanctuary
Starting at 4:00 p.m.
- African American History at State Capitol 204
- Literary Fiction at Galloway Sanctuary
- Literary Thriller at State Capitol 201 H
- Wonder & Joy at Galloway Fellowship Center
- In Short at Galloway Reception
- America at War at C-Span/Old Supreme Court
- Mississippi Culture at State Capitol 113
Workshop Events
Located at State Capitol 103
- 10:45 a.m. – See Us Differently
- 12:00 p.m. – Emotional Things: Youth Poetry Workshop
- 1:30 p.m. – Mothers Writing: The Magical Mundane
- 2:45 p.m. – USM Creative Writing
- 4:00 p.m. – Building Characters & Building Worlds
