”If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”
—Toni Morrison
SATURDAY, JUNE 1
Celebrate Local Authors at our Book Fest
These women took Maya Angelou’s advice and wrote that book. Let’s celebrate their stories.
Please join us for our third annual Author Showcase and Book Festival on Saturday, June 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. We’re celebrating more than 30 Jacksonville-based authors telling the stories they needed to tell.
It’s going to be a fabulous day of community, with music, food trucks, readings, workshops, and, of course, books and more books! And did we mention art? This year’s event will be held at the CoRK Art Studios (East Building), so you’ll be surrounded by the work of fabulous Jax-based artists as well.
Featured Authors to Share their Personal Journeys
Our featured authors include Jax star Jennifer Chase, author, playwright, professor, poet, and musician, reading from her latest book of love letters to Jacksonville, accompanied by cellist Holly DeCardenas. We’re also featuring local authors Pushpa Devi, Sharon Goldman, and Sherri Jones. Plus, we’ll have contributors reading from our latest Anthology edition, “And Justice for All.”
Indie Bookstore Panel Shows Women’s Leadership
Did you know Jacksonville boasts FIVE women-owned independent bookstores, including our very own State Rep. Angie Nixon? She will be speaking on a panel along with Desiree Bailey of San Marco Books and More, Rona Brinlee of The BookMark, and Dana Shutters of Happy Medium Bookstore. They will discuss how, as women business owners, they have filled in the gaps in our current systems to ensure book access and representative content for all.
Sponsors and Collaborators Make it Extra Fun
We’ve loved collaborating with Casey and Kati of Rebel Readers Florida for this year’s festival. We’re grateful to our sponsors, Chamblin’s Bookmine, Femme Fire Books, Root Realty, Friends of Willow Branch Library, Deborah Reid, and Bold Bean Coffee Roasters (coffee on site!); thank you for your support! We’re also pleased to collaborate with Hope McMath of Yellow House (book-making workshop), artists Teresa Cook and Emily Mitchell (art workshop), River City Readers and the Mayor’s Literacy Program, the Public Library system, and Bold City Brewery (afterparty 3-4 p.m. at the nearby brewery!) to make this an outstanding day.
Snag your tickets now to get your raffle tickets and the chance to win more books (we know you need them)! See you Saturday, June 1, for an awesome way to add to your TBR pile for summer reading pleasure!.
Register HERE.
Cheers,
Jennifer Wolfe
Executive Director,
Women Writing for (a) Change Jacksonville
REGISTER HERE
WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO LATELY
Public ReadAround + Gen Wow + BOOK
We had a lovely Public ReadAround, sharing intimate stories of metamorphosis and growth while surrounded by the art of the Metamorphosis Exhibit. We loved meeting with the folks from Gen Wow last week to determine how to help them create safer space for personal expression in our local high schools. And we were so pleased to attend Deborah Reed and Mary Atwood’s release party for Copyright Artfully Explained last night at Bab’s Lab. Bonus: A shot of two butterflies born during the Historic Home Tour last month! This is good work, fun work, sacred work.—JW
ANTHOLOGY
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
All writers who have participated in our writing circles are eligible to submit. Artists who have been in our shows, or, by invitation, or by inquiry, may submit. Details HERE.
Order online via Etsy or pick up more copies in person at San Marco Books and More, Chamblin’s Downtown, or The Creative Exchange (CX904)downtown.
The Last Word
Why We Need Books
“Only the very weak-minded refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry.”
―Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel