Prolific author, activist, and journalist Cory Doctorow will launch the Festival this year, in conversation with TCPL Librarian Judd Karlman.

Cory Doctorow is a science fiction author, activist and journalist. He is the author of dozens of books, most recently ENSHITTIFICATION: WHY EVERYTHING SUDDENLY GOT WORSE AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT (nonfiction); and the novels PICKS AND SHOVELS and THE BEZZLE (followups to RED TEAM BLUES). Other notable books include the solarpunk novels WALKAWAY and THE LOST CAUSE; the tech policy books THE INTERNET CON and CHOKEPOINT CAPITALISM; and the internationally bestselling YA LITTLE BROTHER series; and the picture book POESY THE MONSTER SLAYER. In 2020, he was inducted into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. Doctorow is an A.D. White Professor-at-Large at Cornell University.

Judd Karlman is the Adult Services Department Head Librarian at Tompkins County Public Library. Karlman is a graduate of Syracuse University, and and avid reader of science fiction and fantasy.