Festival of Reading 6th Annual Festival of Reading Fantastic6th Annual Festival ofFlor Reading ida March 25-28, 2009 EVENT GUIDE 1 • Fantastic Florida 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. Tim Dorsey & 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.