Since 2013, it’s been my task and honor to be the chief organizer of panels and recruiter of panelists for the annual authors conference sponsored by the Washington Independent Review of Books, a nonprofit publication online since February 2011. My perk is I get to introduce the keynoters: Marie Arana, David Marannis, John Feinstein, Bob Woodward and Judith Viorst.

At our sixth annual conference (formerly known as Books Alive!), I will be introducing Bob Schieffer, our keynote speaker and the legendary former CBS-TV anchor and host of “Face the Nation.”  Bob’s most recent book is Overload: Finding Truth in Today’s Deluge of News.

Just prior to lunch, acclaimed novelist Alice McDermott will be in conversation with Tayla Burney, a longtime public radio producer. Our post-luncheon powerhouse panel on “Political Books in the Age of Trump” will feature a lively discussion with panelists Larry Leamer, David Litt, John Farrell and Carlos Lozada, with moderator Margaret Engel. All panelist bios and the full program are online.

In addition to our top drawer program, we also will have some 15 literary agents present to hear pitches from aspiring authors.  Past pitch sessions have led to several book contracts and published books. The conference begins Friday evening, May 4, with a meet-greet-and-eat followed by a session on how to pitch to agents.  The full program convenes on Saturday morning and fills the entire day.  The venue for all of this is the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in College Park.  The early bird rate is in effect through March 31.  But why wait?  Register now.