Forks, knives, bookmarks at the ready.

The University of Iowa Libraries will host its second Edible Book Festival on April 1 in the Main Library Learning Commons, encouraging participants to craft — and eventually eat — their own book-related culinary item.

Bookworms, book artists, and food enthusiasts are welcome to participate, both to construct literary sculptures and consume them afterwards.

Judges will award prizes for Best Book Structure, Best Literary Allusion, Judge’s Favorite, Audience Favorite, and Best Tasting, amongst others. Judges for the event include IMU Executive Chef Barry Greenberg and UI Special Collections Librarian Colleen Theisen. 

The event is based on the International Edible Book Festival, held in more than 24 countries on six continents.

Those interested in participating in the UI incarnation of the Edible Book Festival should contact Brett Cloyd at [email protected] or (319) 335-5743. Entries should be brought to 1103 Main Library Commons between 2 and 2:45 p.m. on April 1.

— by Emma McClatchey