Festival of Reading 6th Annual Festival of Reading

Fantastic6th Annual Festival ofFlor Reading ida March 25-28, 2009

EVENT GUIDE 1 • Fantastic 6th Annual Festival of Reading • 2 Special Exhibits Wednesday, March 25 The Art of the Book Exhibit February 2 to March 27, 2009 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Local Authors Day Lake County Historical Museum Umatilla Public Library, 412 Hatfield Drive 317 W. Main St., Tavares “Local Authors Day” offers an opportunity to meet and speak with Central Florida authors, including Eddie Lucas, Annette Bruce, Jeffrey lamb, Colleen Avelli, Michael Suib, Nancy Butler-Ross, Bill Pearce, Award-winning author and illustrator Janeen Mason will be the Joan Jacquart and Mark Miller. featured artist for the 2009 Festival of Reading “Fantastic Florida.” The “The Art of the Book” exhibit is a collaboration with the 11 a.m. A Celebration in Images Lake County Historical Museum and the Lake County Lady Lake Public Library, 225 W. Guava St. Library System. “A Celebration in Images” features freelance writer, photographer and author Bruce Hunt. He won the 2007 Florida Book Awards Mason’s paintings are a kaleidoscopic array of the aquatic Silver Medal for Nonfiction for Florida Then and Now. Hunt and the astronomical from popular children’s books, re-photographed the original locations of 130 historic Florida including “Ocean Commotion: Sea Turtles” and “Going photographs spanning a 100 years. To accompany the then and now around the Sun: Some Planetary Fun.” In all, Mason is the comparison images, he chronicles the histories of the places and the illustrator or author and illustrator of eight children’s picture changes that have occurred there. The exhibit will include winners books with two more titles due for release in 2009. She was of the Lady Lake Library Photography Contest. appointed by State Sen. President Ken Pruitt to serve as a member of the Florida Arts Council, a 15-member council that advises the 2 p.m. Lake County History with Author Bob Grenier Secretary of State on matters pertaining to arts and culture in East Lake County Library, 31340 County Road 437, Sorrento Florida. In 2007, she received two major awards: The U.S. Maritime Bob Grenier, author of The Gallant Captain Melton Haynes and Woodlea Life on the Literature Award for her book titled “Ocean Commotion: Sea Lake of the Dancing Sunbeams, will present Lake County’s history. This event will Turtles!” and a Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award. (For more include a special presentation by the East Lake Historical Society. information, log on to www.JaneenMason.com.) 3 p.m. Sprawl & Our Natural Landscape with Bill Belleville Janeen Mason will appear at the Leesburg Public Library on Saturday, March 28 at 10:30 a.m. where Tavares Civic Center, 100 E. Caroline St. she will speak on her work and present the awards for the 10th Annual Bookmark Design Contest. In Losing It All to Sprawl, Belleville accounts for the impacts — social, political, natural and personal — that a community in the crosshairs of Art of the Women of Lake County unsustainable growth ultimately must bear, but he also offers hope in March 2 to April 4, 2009 the rediscovery and appreciation of the natural landscape. This event Opening Reception is hosted by the City of Tavares Public Library. Tuesday, March 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. W.T. Bland Public Library 7 p.m. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings 1995 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora Cagan Crossings Community Library, 16729 Cagan Oaks, Clermont Bill Belleville will speak on his newly released PBS film on Marjorie The exhibit includes 24 women from Lake County whose work was Kinnan Rawlings titled In Marjorie’s Wake: Rediscovering Rawlings, a juried to hang in a special exhibit at the Deltona Arts and Historical River and Time. In the film, he recreates a river journey that the Pulitzer Center. Artists include Evelyn Albanese, Dorothy Blondin, Kathy prize-winning author once made on the St. Johns River in 1933. As an award- Bowden, Joyce Brady, Diane Brannon, Jean Briggs, Alice Dressler, winning nonfiction writer specializing in nature and conservation, Belleville Charlene Edwards, Michelle K. Hall, Lynne Herrick, Jeanine Jones, has authored five books, contributed to eight national anthologies, written more Jennifer Kirton, Carol Lucas, Eiko Magner, Donna Miller, Susan than 1,000 articles and essays, scripted and coproduced seven films. This event is Mulholland, Jennie Myers, Barbara Perry, Marlene Timensberger, sponsored by the Friends of the Cagan Crossings Community Library. Kathleen Ryan, Linda Spencer, Marion Strahle, Barbary Vey and Marty Yokowonis. Youth events are listed on page 9 3 • Fantastic Florida 6th Annual Festival of Reading • 4 Thursday, March 26 Karen Hawkins: 2 p.m. Let’s Make A Scene with Vic DiGenti W.T. Bland Public Library, 1995 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora Learn to write compelling scenes with Vic DiGenti, author of the Windrusher series. He will explain Brunch with the Goddess the importance of scenes and demonstrates how the use of three important elements will bring a scene to life and keep the reader turning pages. Participants will have the opportunity to write their Thursday, March 26 at 10:30 a.m. own scenes.

4:30 p.m. Windrusher and the Trail of Fire Leesburg Public Library, 100 E. Main St. Fruitland Park Library, 205 W. Berckman St. Enjoy a delectable brunch with Karen Hawkins (aka The Goddess). Teens are welcome to find out about this secret feline world from author Vic DiGenti. Separated Hawkins is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of from his caretakers and relocated to a rural cat rescue agency called Precious Friends Cat Sanctuary, several sexy and sassy romances for Avon Book including three Windrusher learns his destiny is linked to a mythical cat from legendary times. Can this dream-link series, MacLean Curse, Ask Reeves and Talisman Ring. protect him and the other cats standing in the way of a ruthless developer?

5:30 p.m. Author Elise VanCise Hawkins won multiple pre-published awards for The Abduction of Astor County Library, 54905 Alco Road Julia, including the prestigious Maggie Award from the Georgia Author Elise VanCise will give a reading and discuss writing and her newest book, Don’t Touch. Romance Writers. Karen Hawkins also contributed the novella Her novels will be available for purchase and signing. Refreshments will be provided by the Astor Two Hearts that was published in the anthology The Further County Library. Observations of Lady Whistledown. 7 p.m. Can You Dig It? with Mary Anna Evans Tavares Civic Center, 100 E. Caroline St. Brunch Menu Findings takes Faye and Joe back to their Florida island home, and it brings back many favorite Ham & Swiss and Salmon Quiches characters from the first three books, Artifacts, Relics, and Effigies. Mary Anna Evans’ latest Blueberry Muffins award-winning archaeological mystery is one of Amazon’s best-sellers. This event is hosted by the City Cheddar Biscuits of Tavares Public Library Fruit Salad 7 p.m. Mixing Laughs with Murder with Bob Morris, James O. Born and Elaine Viets Fresh Vegetables Cagan Crossings Community Library, 16729 Cagan Oaks, Clermont Brownie Bits Be entertained by three of Florida’s best-selling, award-winning mystery writers. In Burn Zone, James Mimosa O. Born’s focus returns to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as he continues Coffee the story of agent Alex Duarte. A Deadly Silver Sea, the latest Zack Chasteen thriller from Bob Morris, Tea takes the reader on The Royal Star, the most exclusive cruise ship in the world for a very rough ride. Elaine Viets’ sixth Dead-End Job mystery, Murder with Reservations, features Helen Hawthorne, the Juice woman on the run as a hotel maid. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Cagan Crossings Community Library. Tickets are $15 and are available for purchase at any Lake County Library.

For more information, call the Leesburg Public Library at (352) 728-9790.

Youth events are listed on page 9 5 • Fantastic Florida 6th Annual Festival of Reading • 6

Friday, March 27 10:30 a.m. & Nuclear Jellyfish Authors’ Reception W.T. Bland Public Library, 1995 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora New York Times bestselling author Tim Dorsey returns with his 11th book in the Serge Storms series. Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m. Chat with Tim about Serge and Coleman on their Nuclear Jellyfish reign of terror, trivia and souvenirs! W.T. Bland Public Library 2 p.m. Florida Folk Art and History with Dr. Kristin Congdon 1995 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora Clermont Woman’s Club, 655 Broome St. The first annual reception to highlight the accomplishments of Florida’s outstanding Dr. Kristin Congdon’s work is largely based in the preservation of folk arts, feminist criticism and the authors is presented free to the public. Join authors and readers for a relaxed happy role of arts education in the community. Members of the Quilting Sisters Guild will be displaying hour, with coffee bar and gourmet hors d’ oeuvres provided by the American Culinary quilts at the event. This event is hosted by Cooper Memorial Library. Federation, Gulf to Lakes Chefs and Cooks Association. The following authors will be present during the reception: James O. Born Bill Belleville Florida Masters of Mystery Victor DiGenti Friday, March 27 at 2 p.m. Elaine Viets Leesburg Public Library 100 E. Main St., Leesburg James O. Born, Tim Dorsey, Mary Anna Evans, Bob Morris & Elaine Viets will make up this panel of five Florida mystery writers. Tim Dorsey Explore intriguing stories, stunning environments, unique investigative tools and cunning puzzles while each author shares their secrets of success. Stephen G. Craft James O. Born has become the go-to-guy for action- packed procedurals brimming with well-developed Kristin Congdon components of the thriller and the adventure novel. Tim Dorsey returns with his latest, Nuclear Jellyfish and along with the lovable character, Serge. Mary Anna Evans’ archeologist heroine Faye Longchamp Mary Anna Evans is back with Findings, the fourth book of her award winning series. Evans has given us insights into little known aspects of Bob Morris America ’s past. To research her novels for her Dead End Job mysteries, Elaine Viets has been everything from a salesclerk to a survey taker. This event is free but tickets are required. Former newspaper columnist and magazine editor, Bob Morris is Tickets are available at all the Lake County the author of the Zack Chasteen series of mysteries set in Florida Libraries. Book-signing will run concurrently, and the Carribean. and Raintree Books will have books available for sale on site.

Youth events are listed on page 9 7 • Fantastic Florida 6th Annual Festival of Reading • 8

Saturday, March 28 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Second Annual Fiction Writing Seminar Bluegrass Festival Clermont Woman’s Club, 655 Broome St. Author Cynthia Thomason joins Literary Agent Lucienne Diver (The Knight Agency) and Helen Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rosburg, Editor of Medallion Press for a workshop on the business and the joy of novel writing. East Lake County Library 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, The Annual Bluegrass Festival will offer music and free activities for children and celebrating the sale. Reservations requested 352-394-4265. This event is hosted by the Cooper including Happy Faces face painters. In addition, the Friends of the East Lake Memorial Library. County Library will have their Spring Book & Bake Sale, raffle and yard sale. 10:30 a.m. Author Cynthia Barnett Entertainers will include: The Blackwater Inn, 55716 Front St., Astor • October Mountain Washboard Band Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S. won the Gold medal for best non-fiction in the Florida Book Awards. Join the Astor County Library for complimentary coffee and refreshments • Blue Mountain Grass at this fine restaurant overlooking the beautiful St. Johns River. • Mountain Dulcimers of Lake County 10:30 a.m. Author and Illustrator Janeen Mason • Irish Fiddler Jonathan Hodge Leesburg Public Library, 100 E. Main St. • Sunshine Gospel Travelers Special guest Janeen Mason will speak about her work and present awards to winners of the 10th Annual Bookmark Design Contest. Mason is an illustrator, or author & illustrator, of eight children’s picture books with two more titles due for release in 2009. Winning bookmark designs will be available at the event.

11 a.m. Author Stephen G. Craft Blue Mountain Grass Paisley County Library, 24954 County Road 42 Embry-Riddle at War is the first study of a civilian aviation school during World War II. Stephen G. Craft examines the components of aeronautical training, the evolution of a civilian company contributing to the war effort, the experiences and lives of those who participated in the school and the crucial part Florida played in the war.

2 p.m. Author Dr. Gary Mormino Leesburg Public Library, 100 E. Main St., Leesburg Dr. Gary Mormino will expand on his book, Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams: A Social History of Modern Florida, in which he explains the explosive growth in Florida and its impact. Mormino traces the themes For more information, of Florida’s transformation from the state capital of Tallahassee to Miami. call the East Lake County Library The book is the winner of the 2006 Charlton Tebeau Book Award and 2007 at (352) 383-9980 or Choice Outstanding Academic Book. Mormino is author of several award- e-mail [email protected] winning books about Florida, including The Immigrant World of Ybor City.

Youth events are listed on page 9 9 • Fantastic Florida 6th Annual Festival of Reading • 10 Youth Events Guests and Authors Showcase Authors Wednesday, March 25 Cynthia Barnett 8:30 a.m. Dr. Kevin Kremer Day Children’s Event Cynthia Barnett has been a reporter and editor at newspapers and magazines for Astatula Elementary School, 13925 Florida Ave. 20 years. Since 1998, she’s written for Florida Trend magazine, where she covers Kevin Kremer will present and discuss his work to the children in grades 3, 4 and 5. Dr. Kremer is the investigative, environmental, public policy and business stories. Her numerous author of A Kremer Christmas Miracle Santa’s our Substitute Teacher, When it Snows in Sarasota, The journalism awards include seven Green Eyeshades, which recognize outstanding Knight, the Wizard & the Lady Pig. journalism in 11 southeastern states. Her first book,Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S., won the Gold medal for best nonfiction in the Florida Book 3 p.m. Snow in Sarasota with Dr. Kevin Kremer Children’s Event Awards. (www.cynthiabarnett.net) Leesburg Public Library, 100 E. Main St. Kevin Kremer is the author of A Kremer Christmas Miracle Santa’s our Substitute Teacher, When it Snows in Sarasota, The Knight, the Wizard & the Lady Pig. Bill Belleville Author and documentary filmmaker Bill Belleville specializes in environmental issues. His River of Lakes: A Journey on Florida’s St. Johns River won the Michael J. Thursday, March Shaara Award for Excellence in Writing. His book Losing it all to Sprawl was named 26 one of “Best Books of 2006” by the Library Journal; was given the 1000 Friends of 4:30 p.m. Windrusher and the Trail of Fire Teen Event Florida’s Al Burt Award for Excellence in Journalism; and was a Bronze Medal winner Fruitland Park Library, 205 W. Berckman St. in the 2007 Florida Book Awards. His filmmaking credits include an Emmy award for Teens are welcome to find out about this secret feline world from author Vic DiGenti. Separated from “Wekiva: Legacy or Loss.” (www.billbelleville.com) his caretakers and relocated to a rural cat rescue agency called Precious Friends Cat Sanctuary, Windrusher learns his destiny is linked to a mythical cat from Marianne Berkes legendary times. Can this dream-link protect him and the other cats Marianne Berkes has spent much of her life as a teacher, children’s theater director standing in the way of a ruthless developer? and children’s librarian. She is listed in the most recent volume of “Something About the Author” and also in “Who’s Who in American Education (2007).” Her first book, Marsh Music, was published in 2000. Music, theater and writing have been a Friday, March 27 Children’s Event constant in her life and she puts all this to good use in her “interactive” children’s picture books. 10:30 a.m. Pre-K Storytime with Marianne Berkes W.T. Bland Public Library, 1995 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora Children’s author and storyteller, Marianne Berkes will visit for James O. Born pre-K storytime featuring her book Going around the Sun: Some Lake Worth-author James O. Born is a Special Agent with the Florida Department Planetary Fun. The book received an iParenting Media Award of Law Enforcement. He has been involved in investigations with organized crime, 2008; Moonbeam Children’s Book Award 2008 and Mom’s violent crimes, economic crimes, drug cartels and public corruption. Born draws Choice Award 2009. A book signing will follow the storytime. on his insider’s view of police work to create a realistic story. His first three novels featured agent Bill Tasker. Escape Clause, the third novel in that series, won the 2007 Florida Book Award. (www.jamesoborn.com) 11 • Fantastic Florida 6th Annual Festival of Reading • 12

Kristin Congdon Tim Dorsey Dr. Kristin Congdon has published extensively on the study of folk arts, visual cultural, Former newspaperman Tim Dorsey has published 10 novels in several languages, feminist criticism and community arts. She recently published Uncle Monday and including Florida Roadkill, Hammerhead Ranch Motel, , Triggerfish Twist, Other Florida Tales, which won the Carolyn Washbon Award for best popular book , Cadillac Beach, , The Big Bamboo, Hurricane Punch in Florida history and the Dorothy Howard Prize from the American Folklore Society. and Atomic Lobster. (timdorsey.com) Her recent books include Just Above the Water: Florida Folk Art, coauthored with Tina Bucuvalas, and Twentieth Century Photographers from the United States, coauthored with Kara Hallmark. (http://philosophy.ucf.edu/congdon.php)

Mary Anna Evans Victor DiGenti Mary Anna Evans’ series character, Faye Longchamp, lives the exciting life of an Victor DiGenti spent more than 35 years working in public broadcasting, public archaeologist. The first novel, Artifacts, won the Benjamin Franklin award for the affairs, corporate communications and special events production. After his best mystery novel published by a small press and the Florida Historical Society’s retirement, DiGenti found inspiration in his cats and wrote three adventure- Patrick D. Smith Florida Literature Award. The fourth archeological mystery in the fantasies with a feline protagonist. His first two novels, Windrusher and Windrusher series, Findings, combines Florida history with a whodunit and a bit of romance. and the Cave of Tho-hoth, have won multiple awards and attracted readers of all (www.maryannaevans.com) ages. His third in the series, Windrusher and the Trail of Fire, was released in 2008. (www.windrusher.com)

Lucienne Diver Bob Grenier Joining the Festival of Reading is Lucienne Diver, Literary Agent from The Knight Bob Grenier is actively involved in the historical community and belongs to several Agency. Diver is a literary agent with more than 15 years experience and an author organizations including the North Lake County Civil War Roundtable, Lake County with her debut young adult novel Vamped available May 2009. She represents more Historical Society, Historical Society of Tavares, 17th Connecticut Reenactors and than 40 authors of commercial fiction, primarily in the areas of fantasy, romance, the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He is involved in many historical preservation and mystery and suspense. Her authors include such best-sellers as Marjorie M. Liu, restoration projects, including the saving of the Capt. Haynes Woodlea house. He is Susan Krinard, Roberta Gellis and Rachel Caine. (www.luciennediver.com) the author of The Gallant Captain Melton Haynes and Woodlea: Life on the Lake of the Dancing Sunbeams. (http://nlcfcwrtonline.tripod.com)

Stephen G. Craft Karen Hawkins Stephen G. Craft is an associate professor in the Humanities/Social Sciences Karen Hawkins is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of Department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach. Craft mines several sexy and sassy romances for Avon Book including three series, archival sources and a treasure trove of personal memoirs produced by men who MacLean Curse, Ask Reeves and Talisman Ring. Hawkins won multiple fought the greatest air war in history for his book Embry-Riddle at War: Aviation pre-published awards for The Abduction of Julia, including the Training During World War II. Additionally, interviews with men and women who prestigious Maggie Award from the Georgia Romance Writers. instructed at or graduated from wartime Embry-Riddle bring the story to life with Karen Hawkins also contributed the novella Two Hearts that rich details. was published in the anthology The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown. (www.karenhawkins.com ) 13 • Fantastic Florida 6th Annual Festival of Reading • 14

Bruce Hunt Helen A Rosburg Bruce Hunt is a native Floridian author, photographer and illustrator living in Tampa. Helen A. Rosburg is owner, President, and Executive Editor of Medallion Press, Inc., a non- He has authored six books about Florida, including his latest Florida Then & Now, fiction and genre fiction publishing company based in St. Charles, IL. Helen is also an award- which won the 2007 Florida Book Awards Silver Medal for Nonfiction. He has also winning author and a sponsor of Triple Threat Mentoring, a not-for-profit organization worked for various newspapers and magazines, including the past five years as a devoted to helping underprivileged urban youth gain confidence and life skills. She lives regular feature writer and photographer for DuPont Registry Tampa Bay Magazine. on a slightly dusty farm in Florida with her husband James, her daughter Ali, and zoo’s- Currently, he is working on the fourth edition of Visiting Small-Town Florida. (www. worth of rescued or retired critters including horses, rabbits, dogs, cats, pigs, and chickens. brucehuntimages.com) When not running Medallion Press, writing, or showing horses and dogs Helen enjoys traveling to exotic locations across the world. (www.helenrosburg.com)

Kevin Kremer Cynthia Thomason Romance and mystery author Cynthia Thomason’s first book, River Song, was published Kevin Kremer’s first book, A Kremer Christmas Miracle, contains many of his favorite in 1998, and since then she has published five historical romances, one time travel Christmas memories. Kremer has recently started a writing and publishing company anthology, seven contemporary romances and two historical mysteries. The historical to help people with any aspect of their own book projects. mystery series is The Jubilee Showboat Mysteries with amateur sleuth Gwen Barlow and a colorful cast of showboat actors. The first book, Stagestruck, is now available in trade paperback. The second book, Grave Review, was released in September 2005. (www.cynthiathomason.com)

Dr. Gary Mormino Elaine Viets Dr. Gary Mormino holds the Frank E. Duckwell Professorship in Florida Studies at Elaine Viets writes two national bestselling mystery series. She has won the Agatha, the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg, where he also co-directs the Anthony and Lefty Awards. Her Dead-End Job series is a satiric look at minimum-wage Florida Studies Program. He is author of several award-winning books, including jobs. The series looks at a different low-paying job each book, from telemarketer to hotel The Immigrant World of Ybor City, coauthored with George Pozzetta, and Land of maid. Clubbed to Death, set at a South Florida country club, is her seventh in the series. Sunshine, State of Dreams: A Social History of Modern Florida, winner of the Charlton Viet’s second series features St. Louis mystery shopper Josie Marcus in Accessory to Murder. Tebeau Book Award in 2006 and the Choice Outstanding Academic Book in 2007. The debut, Dying in Style, tied with Stephen King on the Independent Mystery Booksellers bestseller list. (www.elaineviets.com)

Bob Morris Bob Morris’ travels have inspired a series of mystery novels with a Caribbean setting. Guest Authors Bahamarama was a finalist for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best First Mystery The following authors will also be part of this year’s Festival of Reading during Local Authors’ Day on Novel and chosen by the Library Journal as one the year’s Top Five Mysteries. His Wednesday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: second novel, Jamaica Me Dead, was a BookSense Pick by the American Booksellers Association. His latest book, Bermuda Schwartz, won a 2007 Florida Book Award, a Colleen Avelli Eddie Lucas Bronze Medal for Popular Fiction. A Deadly Silver Sea will be released in December. Annette Bruce Mark Miller (www.bobmorris.net) Nancy Butler-Ross Bill Pearce Joan Jacquart Michael Suib Jeffrey Lamb Elise VanCise*

* This author will be at Astor County Library at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 26. Presenting Sponsors

Clermont Woman’s Club

Event Donors Friends of the Library Mount Dora Library Association Publix Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SECO) VolunteerLAKE

Program Contributors Carrabba’s Italian Grill Outback Steakhouse Chili’s Perkins Cracker Barrel Starbucks First National Bank of Mount Dora Winn-Dixie The Fresh Market Media Sponsor Lake and Sumter Style