Daren Wang to Step Down as AJC
Decatur Book Festival Executive Director
Will Launch New Novel “The Hidden
Light of Northern Fires” at Festival
ATLANTA, Ga. (August 14, 2017) -- Daren Wang, Atlanta
Journal-Constitution Decatur Book Festival (DBF) co-founder, will step down as
executive director at the end of 2017 to focus on other projects. Wang’s debut
novel, “The Hidden Light of Northern Fires,” will launch during the 12th
annual festival, Sept. 1-3, 2017.
Daren has been a visionary leader,”
said AJC Decatur Book Festival board chair James Diedrick. “He and his team
have done a remarkable job creating and running what has become the largest
independent book festival in the country. We wish Daren all the best as he
launches his first novel at the festival this year and sets off on his book
tour.”
Diedrick added that the board plans
to honor and celebrate Daren in a variety of ways during and after the festival.
Members of the DBF board have formed a transition team to plan next steps for
the festival.
Wang said his time as
festival director has taught him the meaning of community.
“The word 'community' is bandied about in marketing copy and P.R. firms every day, but only by
working on the Decatur Book Festival did I learn what it really means. To have
worked with these people—the DBF teams past and present, the board, and the
volunteers—is, for me, to understand what it means to belong. It has meant more
to me than I can say.”
Wang added that he’s
looking forward to watching the festival grow in the coming years.
“I’m so proud of what
so many have worked to build at the DBF. I can’t wait to see it get better and
better in coming years. It’ll be a joy to come next year and just enjoy the
festival.”
As for his transition
to the next phase of his career, Wang said “it’s the right time for me to open
the windows wide. I’m excited to see what comes next.”
Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett
commented on the importance of the festival to Decatur.
“The AJC Decatur Book Festival has
become one of Decatur’s most beloved and prized events bringing authors,
illustrators, storytellers, booksellers, arts groups and makers to our
community thus raising the awareness of the importance of literacy in a way
that is interactive, engaging, thought-provoking, and fun."
Garrett continued, “I am looking
forward to the launch of Daren’s book at the festival as well as honoring him
for his 12 years of service and thanking him officially for a job well done.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Decatur Book Festival (DBF) is
the largest independent book festival in the country. Over Labor Day
weekend tens of thousands from metro Atlanta and beyond share the
historic Decatur Square with world-class authors, illustrators, editors,
publishers and booksellers for a weekend filled with literature, music,
food and fun. For more information, visit www.decaturbookfestival.
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Press Release Courtesy of Keith Britt, Gumbo Marketing
