Festival of Reading
Fantastic Florida!
Lake County Library System is proud to present the 6th Annual Festival of Reading Fantastic Florida! In 2009, the events will take place March 25th – March 28th. All the events listed are free except the Brunch with Karen Hawkins at the Leesburg Public Library.
Wednesday, March 25
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Umatilla Public Library
Local Author’s Day offers an opportunity to meet and speak with Central Florida authors. Including Colleen Avelli, Annette Bruce, Jeffrey Lamb, Eddie Lucas, Joan Jacquart, Mark Miller, Bill Pearce, Michael Suib and Nancy Butler-Ross.
11 a.m. Lady Lake Public Library
Bruce Hunt ~ A Celebration in Images
Freelance writer, photographer and author of Florida Then and Now was the winner of the 2007 Florida Book Awards Silver Medal for Nonfiction. Bruce found the original locations of, and re-shot, 130 historic Florida photographs spanning a hundred years from the 1870s to the 1970s.
2 p.m. East Lake County Library
Bob Grenier ~ Lake County History
This event will include a special presentation by the East Lake Historical Society and Mr. Grenier, author of The Gallant Captain Melton Haines.
3 p.m. Leesburg Public Library
Dr. Kevin Kremer ~ Snow in Sarasota
Kevin Kremer is the children’s author of A Kremer Christmas, Miracle Santa’s our Substitute Teacher, When it Snows in Sarasota, The Knight, the Wizard & the Lady Pig.
3 p.m. Tavares Civic Center – hosted by the City of Tavares Public Library.
Bill Belleville ~ Sprawl & Our Natural Landscape
In his book Losing It All to Sprawl, Belleville accounts for the impacts — social, political, natural, personal — that a community in the crosshairs of unsustainable growth ultimately must bear.
7 p.m. Cagan Crossings Community Library
Bill Belleville ~ In Marjorie’s Wake
Bill will speak on his newly released PBS film on Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings In Marjorie’s Wake: Rediscovering Rawlings, a River and Time. In the film, he recreates a river journey that the Pulitzer prize-winning author once made on the St. Johns in 1933.
Thursday, March 26
10:30 a.m. Leesburg Public Library
Karen Hawkins ~ Brunch with the Goddess
Karen is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of a dozen historical romance novels. Menu: quiches; fruit salad; blueberry muffins; cheese biscuits; coffee, tea & more. For tickets call (352) 728-9790. $15
2 p.m. W.T. Bland Public Library
Vic DiGenti ~ Let’s Make A Scene
Learn to write compelling scenes and you’ll have a compelling book says author Vic DiGenti, author of the Windrusher series. You will have the opportunity to write your own scene using the principles you learned.
4:30 p.m. Fruitland Park Library
Vic DiGenti ~ Windrusher and the Trail of Fire
Separated from his caretakers and relocated to a rural cat rescue agency, Precious Friends Cat Sanctuary, Windrusher learns his destiny is linked to a mythical cat from legendary times. Teens are welcome!
7 p.m. City of Tavares Public Library
Mary Anna Evans ~ Can You Dig It?
Mary Anna’s latest award-winning archaeological mystery is on Amazon’s bestseller lists, including the list of Hot New Mystery Releases. Library Journal gave the book a starred review. Find out what’s coming in 2009…Floodgates!
7 p.m. Cagan Crossings Community Library
James O. Born, Bob Morris, Elaine Viets ~ Mixing Laughs with Murder
Listen to the diverse voices of three best-selling Florida mystery writers. Born has become the go-to guy for action-packed procedurals brimming with well-developed components of the thriller. Viets has been everything from a salesclerk to a survey taker to research her books. Morris features a former Miami Dolphin in a series of mysteries located around the Caribbean.
Friday, March 27
10:30 a.m. W.T. Bland Public Library
Tim Dorsey ~ Nuclear Jellyfish
New York Times bestselling author Tim Dorsey returns with his eleventh book in the Serge Storms series. Chat with Tim about Serge and Coleman on their Nuclear Jellyfish reign of terror, trivia and souvenirs!
2 p.m. Clermont Woman’s Club -hosted by Cooper Memorial Library.
Dr. Kristin Congdon ~ Florida Folk Art & History
discusses the preservation of folk arts and the role of arts education in the community. Quilting Sisters Guild will host an exhibit.
2 p.m. Leesburg Public Library
James O. Born, Tim Dorsey, Mary Anna Evans, Bob Morris, Elaine Viets
Florida Masters of Mystery
Meet five of Florida’s greatest mystery writers. Explore intriguing stories, stunning environments, unique investigative tools, and cunning puzzles.
7 p.m. W.T. Bland Public Library
Author Reception
The first annual reception to celebrate the accomplishments of Florida’s outstanding authors is presented free to the public. Enjoy a relaxed evening, with coffee bar and hors d’ oeuvres provided by the American Culinary Federation, Gulf to Lakes Chefs and Cooks Association. Authors will include: Bill Belleville, James O. Born, Kristin Congdon, Stephen G. Craft, Vic DiGenti, Tim Dorsey, Mary Anna Evans, Janeen Mason, Bob Morris, Cynthia Thomason, Elaine Viets and more. Music by Fred Harvey. Book-signing and sales will run concurrently. The event is free but tickets are requested and are available at all Lake County Library System libraries. Call 352-735-7180 ext. 5 for information.
Saturday, March 28
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Clermont Woman’s Club – hosted by the Cooper Memorial Library
From Idea to Sale ~ Fiction Writing Seminar
Author Cynthia Thomason joins Literary Agent Lucienne Diver, The Knight Agency and Helen Rosburg, Editor of Medallion Press for a workshop on the business and the joy of novel writing. These experts will discuss the joys and pitfalls of producing a full-length manuscript, starting with that first germ of an idea and following through with the writing the novel, procuring an agent, and celebrating the sale. The event is free but reservations are requested 352-394-4265.
10:30a.m. Blackwater Inn
Cynthia Barnett ~ Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S.
This book won the Gold medal for best nonfiction in the Florida Book Awards. Join us for complimentary coffee and refreshments overlooking the beautiful St. Johns River. Event is hosted by the Astor County Library
10:30 a.m. Leesburg Public Library
Janeen Mason and 10th Annual Bookmark Design Contest Awards
Janeen is an author/illustrator of eight children’s picture books with two more titles due for release in 2009. Her artwork can also be found on posters, puzzles, notecards and apparel. The artist will speak and present the awards to the 2009 winners. Winning designs will be available at the event.
11 a.m. Paisley County Library
Stephen G. Craft ~ Embry-Riddle at War, the first study of a civilian aviation school during World War II, examines the evolution of a civilian company contributing to the war effort and the crucial part Florida played.
2 p.m. Leesburg Public Library
Dr. Gary Mormino, ~ Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams: A Social History of Modern Florida,
The author explains the explosive growth in Florida and its impact. This book was the Choice Outstanding Academic Book in 2007.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. East Lake County Library
Bluegrass Festival
October Mountain Washboard Band, Blue Mountain Grass, Sunshine Gospel Travelers, Dulcimer Ensemble, Jonathon Hodges, Irish Fiddler. The Friends of the East Lake County Library will have their Spring Book/Bake sale, raffle and yard sale. Free activities for children.
