Lit Fest 2013 will have its own super kick-off at 6 p.m. today with About the Book at Bookwalter Winery in Richland.

Six avid readers from the Tri-Cities will review novels they admire. Betsy Sivula of Kennewick will introduce Ed Frost, Maureen McQuerry, Scott Shinsato, Matt Taylor, Nancy Brouwer and Fran Delozier at the informal event.

Lit Fest is celebrating its ninth year of offering author presentations, workshops and writing and poetry competitions, all free to the community. Under the guidance of Columbia Basin College and a Lit Fest committee led by Bill McKay, the spring tribute to literature is made possible by grants and sponsorships.

In past years, nationally acclaimed authors, such as Sherman Alexie, Gary Soto, Jess Walter, Bret Lott, Chris Crutcher, Sandra Cisneros and Diane Rehm have appeared.

A full list of this year's events has yet to be announced.