On Sunday, September 23, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., a record 280+ top national and international authors and participants will join bibliophiles, booksellers and literary organizations on 14 stages at Brooklyn Borough Hall (209 Joralemon Street) and Plaza, Columbus Park, St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights Public Library, Brooklyn Law School, the Brooklyn Historical Society and St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Church for the seventh annual Brooklyn Book Festival. The Festival is supported by AT&T, which is providing an exciting new app to help guide Festival-goers (details to be announced shortly!).

All Festival events on Sunday, September 23, are free and—for the first time this year—there will be “Clix not Tix,” meaning no more tickets or ticket lines. Additionally, for the first time ever, the expanded “Bookend” literary-themed events comprise a full week of more than 50 happenings at venues that include clubs, bookstores, theaters and libraries across the borough from September 17 – 23. Most Bookend Events are free (a few charge a modest admission).

This year’s Best of Brooklyn, Inc. Award—the “BoBi”—recipient will be announced on Monday, September 10th. Each year this prestigious award acknowledges the work of an author who has had a broad impact on the world of literature.

The Brooklyn Book Festival, one of the premier literary events in the country, is an initiative of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz presented by Brooklyn Tourism and the Brooklyn Literary Council. This hip, smart, diverse—and free—gathering attracts thousands of book lovers of all ages to enjoy authors and the Festival’s lively literary marketplace, and presents a dazzling array of national and international literary stars, emerging authors and programming—from lowbrow to highbrow!

According to Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, “Brooklyn, or ‘Book-lyn’ as I like to call it, has more writers per square inch than almost anywhere else in the country, all contributing to our growing reputation as the epicenter of the literary universe—where authors from across the globe gather each fall for the Brooklyn Book Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious free literary festivals. “This year, the Festival expands from four days to an entire week of exciting and diverse literary offerings, and we’re thrilled to have the Festival supported by AT&T. No ‘seven year itch’ here—the seventh annual Brooklyn Book Festival will prove to be our most popular yet. So whether you find it nearly impossible to put down your book or e-reader, or just like the occasional ‘good read,’ be sure to make your plans now and ‘book’ September 17-23 for the 2012 Brooklyn Book Festival.”

“With an entire week of literary events celebrating the written and spoken word, the seventh annual Brooklyn Book Festival will be bigger and better than ever,” said Johnny Temple, chair of the Brooklyn Literary Council. “The Festival has matured into one of the world’s premier literary destinations, attracting renowned authors, publishers of all sizes, musicians, humorists, graphic novelists, and all of the creative forces that make up our eclectic and constantly evolving literary universe.”

“The Brooklyn Book Festival is one of New York’s favorite fall traditions and AT&T is proud to support another successful year,” said Marissa Shorenstein, president, AT&T New York. “AT&T is especially excited to announce the development of a new app to guide Festival-goers among the record number of national and international authors.”