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Keynote Closing Event: John Grisham

Long before his name became synonymous with the modern legal thriller, Grisham served as a member of the state House of Representatives and worked long hours at a small Mississippi law practice, squeezing in time to write. Initially rejected by many publishers, A Time to Kill was eventually published in 1988.

His next book, The Firm, would spark one of publishing's greatest success stories: becoming the bestselling novel of 1991 and spending 47 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list. The Pelican Brief, The Client, The Chamber, The Rainmaker, The Runaway Jury, and more than 20 other novels have become international bestsellers since.

His newest book series for middle grade readers is Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer. The sixth in the series is Theodore Boone: The Scandal. There are currently over 300 million John Grisham books in print worldwide in 40 languages. Nine of his novels have been turned into successful films. His newest novel for adults is Rogue Lawyer.

Grisham devotes his time to charitable causes, including his Rebuild The Coast Fund, which raised $8.8 million for Gulf Coast relief in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

John Grisham is appearing in Winston-Salem in protest of North Carolina House Bill 2. Earlier in 2016, Bookmarks joined other NC independent bookstores in signing a letter of protest against the bill as we have always supported hosting diverse books written by diverse authors. Today's event is a fundraiser for Bookmarks nonprofit expansion efforts to open an independent bookstore in connection with our offices. This space will allow us to double our outreach in the first year alone, while providing a safe haven for all readers and all writers, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or any other factor.

General Admission event by ticket only: $22 in advance and $30 at the door (if available).

$35 for a general admission ticket and your choice of a signed hardcover of Theodore Boone: The Scandal (ages 8-12) or a signed paperback of Rogue Lawyer. You will choose which book upon arrival.

Doors open at 3 p.m. All books for sale by Bookmarks will be pre-signed by John Grisham.

Bookmarks will provide free tickets to area schools. These tickets must be reserved by a school media or curriculum coordinator by emailing rsvp@bookmarksnc.org. Free tickets will be given to teachers who will be chaperoning students. Tickets available through August 31.

There will be no refunds for tickets.