Southwest Florida Reading Festival comes to downtown Fort Myers this Saturday
Twenty-six authors will be featured at the 26th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival in Downtown Fort Myers this weekend.
“Connecting readers with the writers is a magical moment. It plants the seed for more reading to come in the life of the kids,” festival coordinator Melissa Baker said.
It’s also great for adults as authors provide the story behind the story and what motivated them, providing a deeper understanding of the stories that they love. The newest book – the inside scoop – provides a richer experience because they now have more story “behind the story,” Baker said.
The Southwest Florida Reading Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at Fort Myers Regional Library.
“The book signings and presentations are the biggest thing,” Baker said.
Literary fiction, thriller, humor and romance are among the mix of adult genres.
“There are several authors that do the Hallmark-style including the queen of Hallmark, Debbie Macomber,” she said. “She is going to draw a crowd for sure.”
In addition, Lisa Genova will make an appearance. Baker said her book, “Still Alice,” was adopted into an Oscar-winning film. The characters have neurological conditions, which help raise awareness for the various neurological conditions through fiction that helps create empathy.
“There are so many great ones. It is hard to name drop – too many,” Baker said. “There is always a variety, and something that is going to click with every reader.”
The adult authors include Tracy Clark, Reed Farrel Coleman, Jenny Colgan, Eli Cranor, Alison Gaylin, Genova, Ali Hazelwood, R.J. Jacobs, Stephen Mack Jones, Jean Kwok, Elinor Lipman, Sarah MacLean, Macomber, Viola Shipman, Julie Soto and Annabelee Tometich.
As far as the teen writers, Baker said the biggest author is Karen M. McManus.
“She is a big fantasy writer for teens,” she said.
The teen authors include Renee Ahdieh, Kristy Boyce, McManus, Angela Montova, and Ginny Myers Sain.
As far as the children’s authors, there are quite a few good ones including Molly Idle, the author of “Flora and the Flamingo,” and Kate Hanagan, who writes graphic novels and historical fiction.
Another author attendees may recognize is Karyn Parson, who played Hillary Banks on “Fresh Prince of Bel Air.”
“I think people are going to be excited to meet Karyn. Her books are great. She is going to be fun,” Baker said.
Other children’s authors include Nicole D. Collier and Kate Messner.
This year, Baker said they wanted to try something a little different at the festival, so the event will wrap up with a classic guitar performance by Edwin Culver of music from Around the World at 3 p.m.
“He will perform different songs from various countries. It’s a nice way to wind everything down,” she said.
The festival also will include crafts for kids and teens, Way Too Tall Torrie who will make balloon animals from noon-2 p.m., festival merchandise, the mobile outreach van, and a little reader zone.
A free book will be offered to every child and teen who attends the event.
Student writers – kindergarten through 12th grade – also will be highlighted at the event during the Aspiring Authors Awards. The elementary awards begin at 2:15 p.m. and secondary at 3:15 p.m.
Baker said she is excited about the T-shirt this year, as Artist Rachel Pierce’s palm tree painting is incorporated into the logo of the festival.
“The shirts are beautiful,” she said.
The merchandise booth includes an opportunity for attendees to enter the name and character raffle. Baker said it buys an individual chances to have their name in an upcoming book by participating festival authors. There are both teen and adult authors participating.
The festival will shed light on all of the resources the library has to offer, such as genealogy, and Libby and Hoopla.
Baker said in past years, they have livestreamed parts of the reading festival.
“Now we have a new Online Author Series website that presents livestreamed author interviews all year long,” she said. “We have some big upcoming authors like Jodi Picoult and Gregg Hurwitz. Plus fans can enjoy watching past recordings of author interviews on demand.”
Those can be seen at libraryc.org/leelibrary.
The best way to keep up-to-date with the schedule and all reading festival information is either online at readfest.org, or by downloading the app – SWFL Reads.
“The mobile app is super intuitive,” she said, as individuals can favor different events and customize their own schedule.
The app also provides the menus for the food trucks that will be on site – Forever Grounded, Pelican’s Snoballs, Plaka on Wheels, Price Panzarottis and Eli’s Mini Cravings. Jasons Deli will also have beverages, snacks, and meals.
A printed schedule will be handed out on the day of the event, which includes a map.
“The other thing I wanted to note is that we have a new festival email newsletter that people can sign up for at the bottom of our website: Readfest.org. It publishes monthly in season, to highlight the festival. It is another great way to stay up-to-date beyond just downloading the mobile app,” she said.
Fort Myers Regional Library is at 2450 First St.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com