Located just fifteen miles from New York City in the creative corridor of Maplewood and South Orange, the Maplewood—South Orange (MAPSO) Book Festival brings together authors, readers and book lovers from all over New Jersey, as well as New York City. The authors at the book festival range from adult to YA to children’s, both fiction and nonfiction. Featuring author “in conversations,” thought-provoking panels and an all-day dedicated children’s area, the MAPSO Book Festival is destined to become the region’s premier cultural and arts event.
The first year festival was held on June 9 and 10, 2017, and featured a keynote address by best-selling popular science author Mary Roach, and a closing keynote from 2017 Caldecott Medal winner Javaka Steptoe. The festival dates for 2018 are June 8 and 9.