The first year of the Newburyport Literary Festival was quite unlike anything ever held in northern New England. Created to celebrate the region’s historic and contemporary literary legacy, the multi-day event featured a seemingly unending stream of accomplished and critically acclaimed writers reading from their books, hosting discussions and interacting with festival goers at a half-dozen venues.

The event returns on April 27-29, this year with more than 60 authors, including Peter Guralnick, L.A. Meyer, Julia Glass, Jon Clinch and Andre Dubus III. Children’s authors will include Ed Emberley and Grace Lin, and poets will include Sydney Lea and Juan Matos and several members of the Powow River Poets.

Among the planned events are an author’s party, selected short readings, a poetry slam and Harry Potter events.

Organizers say they expect 3,500 to participate.