Cleveland Book Week: Cover to Cover

Book Sign at Cleveland Flea Cleveland Book Week

Last week we celebrated the inaugural Cleveland Book Week (CBW), a series of special events to celebrate Anisfield-Wolf Book Award winners past and present, and showcase people and organizations working to promote literature and literacy in Greater Cleveland. Throughout the week, in coordination with a number of community partners, we hosted an array of events to engage audiences of all sizes and interests. See what CBW was all about in this visual recap:

The Cleveland Flea goes literary

Author reads poetry onstage at Cleveland Flea

















We kicked off the week with a special CBW Edition of the Cleveland Flea. In the CBW tent, local writers – including David Giffels, Eva Barrett, Dave Lucas, Ali McClain, Michael Clune, Aubrey Hirsch and RA Washington – read their work from the author’s stage. Nearby, local independent booksellers Appletree Books, Guide to Kulchur, Mac’s Backs and Loganberry Books set up shop.  


Swapping books in Public Square

Book Swap on Cleveland Public Square













A free book swap on Cleveland’s Public Square drew an all-ages crowd for an afternoon of free books, ice cream, chalk art and live performances. Literary and literacy-focused nonprofit organizations shared information with attendees, and local libraries offered registration for new library cards. The afternoon was truly one for the books!


Celebrating this year’s Anisfield-Wolf Book Award-winning authors

Tap dancers pose in group photo

















Throughout the week, each of this year’s Anisfield-Wolf Book Award winners was honored at their own event in the community. From a poetry reading in a planetarium, to a tap dance performances alongside local dancers, these author events gave Greater Clevelanders an opportunity to connect with this year’s Ansifield-Wolf Book Award winners through intimate and engaging programs.


A star-studded evening

2016 Anisfield Wolf Award Winners pose with awards


















The centerpiece of Cleveland Book Week 2016 was the 81st Annual Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards Ceremony. A sold-out crowd gathered at the Ohio Theatre in Playhouse Square to celebrate this year’s winners. Former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove, who herself was feted at a CBW event the night before, hosted the ceremony.

These are just a few of the highlights from the inaugural Cleveland Book Week. We can’t wait for next year! Until then, you can follow the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards here.