By Wendy Harrison
Special to the News-Herald

We live in a time where much of our “conversation” takes place electronically. Yet the power of speech will still prevail during the Paul D. Camp Community College Third Annual Literary Festival, “It’s Raining Books!”

Sponsored by the PDCCC Literary Club, the event will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. April 22 at the Hobbs Suffolk Campus, 271 Kenyon Road. The festival offers a free, family-oriented educational experience that promotes reading and writing and brings people together, while exposing them to the arts.

The festival also celebrates and promotes the works of published authors and poets. Some of this year’s panelists include Suffolk native Nathan Richardson, poet, author, literary consultant and founder of Spiritual Concepts Publishing; Synnika Lofton, a poet, recording artist, producer and teacher; evangelist Jon Cash, author and international evangelist; Hampton Roads resident Linda Mose Meadows, inspirational columnist and author; Suffolk native Phyllis Johnson, columnist, author and poet; and Suffolk native Annette Montgomery, assistant archivist at Norfolk State University, author and instructor.

In addition to the panel readings, there will be an open-mic session, children’s arts and crafts and children’s storytelling, led by Dr. Harriette Arrington, dean, and Dr. Paul William Conco, college president.

Winners of the PDCCC Student Poetry Contest will have the opportunity to present their works, as well.

After the panel sessions, the authors and poets will have books and CDs available to purchase.

For more information, call sponsor and English instructor Ronette Jacobs, 925-6331, or email rjacobs@pdc.edu.