Ariel Lawhon, Author of ‘The Frozen River,’ Will Headline Johns Creek Literary Fair
At New Location, Johns Creek United Methodist Church, on Saturday, Nov. 14
Ariel Lawhon, the New York Times bestselling author of “The Frozen River” and six other titles, will headline the 2026 Johns Creek Literary Fair on Nov. 14. She will be discussing her upcoming release, “The Pirate Queen,” a sweeping historical adventure inspired by the life of Grace O’Malley, the legendary Irish folk heroine who risked everything to defend her people on the high seas.
In addition to “The Frozen River,” which has sold nearly 2 million copies, Lawhon’s other historical fiction titles include “Code Name Hélené,” “I was Anastasia” and “The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress.” Her novels have been translated into over 30 languages and have been Good Morning America Book Club, Library Reads, Costco, Amazon Spotlight and Book of the Month Club selections. She lives in the rolling hills outside Nashville, Tenn., with her husband and four sons.
Here is the location of the Johns Creek United Methodist Church.
Local Author Applications are Closed
Local author applications are closed. This year’s list of local authors will be released soon.
Bestselling Author Patti Callahan Henry Will Join Lawhon
Lawhon will be in conversation with Patti Callahan Henry, The New York Times, Globe and Mail and USA Today bestselling author of 17 novels, including her newest, “The Story She Left Behind.” Henry is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly online “Friends & Fiction” live web show and podcast, as well as a podcast host of original content for her novels “Surviving Savannah” and “Becoming Mrs. Lewis.”
ARTS ON THE CREEK ANNOUNCES
World Music Ensemble
MASTERFUL MELODIES, ENDURING INSTRUMENTALS
The free inaugural daylong concert on Oct. 10 will be a fully instrumental grassroots event!
Designed for musical groups with 10 or fewer members, the WME aims to create a rich, exceptional, one-of-a-kind listening experience for the community by spotlighting established musicians as well as student performers.
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – A unique musical endeavor will debut in Johns Creek this fall. The World Music Ensemble, a fully instrumental grassroots event, will showcase traditional, folk, indigenous and classical instruments from around the world as well as Georgia’s own communities.
A purely instrumental world music event showcasing traditional, indigenous, folk instruments from all around the world and our community, creating a rich, unique, differentiated experience for the mainstream public.
Mission & Purpose
The purpose of WME is to celebrate and preserve the rich heritage of traditional instrumental music from various cultures. The not-for-profit event aims to provide a platform for musicians to showcase the artistry and emotional depth of instrumental music without vocal accompaniment, fostering cultural appreciation and musical education among attendees. It also aims to bring the whole county of Fulton together through this #OneFulton event and stretch the landscape of art and culture across the length and breadth of our communities.
Fulton County Arts & Culture Signs Up as World Music Ensemble Sponsor
Presented by the nonprofit Arts On The Creek, in partnership with Fulton County Arts & Culture, the free inaugural event will be Saturday, Oct. 10, from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek, GA 30097.
With a focus on arts and culture throughout Fulton County, the WME’s goal is to celebrate and preserve the rich heritage of traditional instrumental music from various cultures. The not-for-profit event will provide a platform for musicians of all ages to showcase instruments of diverse cultures and histories. In the process, the WME, presented by a public-private partnership, will foster cultural appreciation and musical education with this #OneFulton event.
AOTC: Our History of Service to the Arts
Arts On The Creek was founded in 2008 and hosted the first arts festival in the new City of Johns Creek. After formally changing the name to AOTC in 2009, the festival was universally recognized as the city’s largest event. From 2010-12, AOTC attracted more then 20,000+ each fall.
A major destination for booth artists, AOTC also added a large children’s area and the festival featured two full days of music, dance and theater on a full-sized stage. The most important connection began when we moved our indoor juried art show – which featured outstanding, high-quality work – to the Johns Creek Arts Center. Instead of a two-day event, the show was displayed for a month at the city’s best-known visual arts institution.
Since 2012, AOTC hosted the High School Artists Show. Each year we volunteer our time to display the artwork of students at four high schools: Centennial, Chattahoochee, Johns Creek and Northview. We also introduced The Block Party, that allowed children to build a building block into a larger artwork.
In 2022 we inaugural Book Fest, hosting 16 area authors who donated funds to display their books and sign autographs. Book Fest was the brainchild of Treasurer Kathy Cioffi, who published her first novel Mama Tried earlier in the year.
Read more about our history here.
Volunteer to Promote the Arts in Johns Creek
Arts On The Creek is actively looking for volunteers.