Take a deep dive into comic book heroes and villains at the Milford Readers & Writers Festival in September

Have you ever wondered how someone ends up writing for none other than Batman and Superman?

Get the answer from award-winning writer Scott Snyder, praised for his work for Marvel and DC Comics, at the Milford Readers and Writers Festival on Sept. 23. Joe Ott, director of special programs at Zapp Comics in Wayne, N.J., will join Snyder on stage for the mainstage event “Vampires, Batman, Wytches, Oh My!”

Snyder’s early childhood walks through the woods at Twin Lakes in Shohola with his father helped shape his imagination for fantasy, horror and the superhero stories in his graphic novels and comic book writings. His first collection of short stories, “Voodoo Heart,” was published in 2006 to rave reviews.

Besides writing for Marvel and DC, Snyder also wrote a six-comic book series, “Wytches,” and currently serves as co-showrunner for an animated television series adaptation of that series for Amazon Prime Video.

Three additional events

On Saturday, Sept. 23, the Main Stage will feature three additional events:

“I Was Better Last Night:”

Award-winning actor and author Harvey Fierstein will discuss his legendary career and memoir. A poignant and hilarious memoir, “I Was Better Last Night,” reveals never-before-told stories of the four-time Tony Award winner’s personal struggles and of his fabled career. He will be joined on stage by playwright, director, actor and author David Drake.

“Rewriting Shakespeare – Should Books Be Revised To Reflect Social Change?”

A discussion on the shifting cultural norms that have prompted revising works by Roald Dahl, Ian Fleming and others. Editor and author Lenore Hart, who also writes as Elisabeth Graves, will moderate the discussion with journalist and author Rob Armstrong and playwright, poet and author Dr. Rashidah Ismaili.

“In Conversation with Leading Lady Charles Busch.”

Busch’s memoir, “Leading Lady,” is a moving, anecdotal account of a talented artist’s journey in the worlds of Off-Broadway, Broadway, and Hollywood. His play, “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife,” received a Tony nod for Best Play. He will be interviewed by actor, director and writer Dick Scanlan whose hits include “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” and more.

All Main Stage programs will include an opportunity for conversation between the authors and the audience.

What else

On Saturday evening, there will be a private reception for festival speakers, open only to festival pass-holders.

In addition to ticketed events, the festival also offers a variety of free programs including the fantasy-themed science fiction panel “The Monsters That Make us” at the Pike County Public Library on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, Lindsay Barrett George, an award-winning children’s book writer and editor will be appearing at the library.

In addition, local authors will be presenting and selling their books in front of the library that day.

There will be book signings by mainstage authors at Better World Café following the panels at the theater. On Sunday there will be free panels with a variety of authors at the Waterwheel Café and Good Shepherd Episcopal Church hall.

For more information about the festival and to purchase festival passes, go to milfordreadersandwriters.com.