The first National Book Festival was experienced through a combination of author presentations, call-ins, and interviews from three locations: the Jefferson Building, the Madison Building, and the east lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building. 
Some of the authors responded to audience telephone calls. Philbrick talked about his book, In the Heart of the Sea. Mosley is the author of Fearless Jones. John Hope Franklin and John W. Franklin discussed the book they co-edited, My Life and an Era. Carpenter talked about her book, Start with a Laugh.