The Gaithersburg Book Festival is a free annual celebration of great books and great writing that has made its mark as one of the nation’s top literary events. More than 100 featured best-selling and award-winning authors – including Wally Lamb, Judith Viorst, Dave Barry, Alan Weisman, Rick Atkinson, John Scalzi, Olivie Blake, Dolan Perkins-Valdez, Joe Posnanski, Louis Bayard, David Aldridge, Jeanine Cummins, Jeffery Deaver, Erin Entrada Kelly, John Patrick Green, Grace Lin, Rachel Renee Russell and Nikki Russell, and more – will participate in presentations and panel discussions. Being held May 17 in Gaithersburg, Md., the Festival also includes interactive writing workshops, a Children’s Village, book sales, author signings and more. Admission and shuttles from Shady Grove Metro and Montgomery County Fairgrounds are FREE.