#Adult Programs in September
Are you ready for Jax Book Fest 2024? Jacksonville Public Library’s signature literary event, it brings book lovers of all ages together to meet their favorite bestselling authors and to discover up-and-coming local authors from right here in Florida.
The event returns September 20-21 at the Main Library with Lit Chat author programs featuring three #1 New York Times bestselling authors, several free writing workshops, 70+ local authors, entertainment for kids, a showcase of teen writers, giveaways, and so much more!
Be the first to know about Lit Chat author events, writing workshops, and more!
#Featured Program
Eastside's Future with Florida Main Street - A Panel of Community Leaders
Once home to James Weldon Johnson, A. Phillip Randolph, Eartha Mary Magdalene White, and Olympic Gold Medalist Bob Hayes, Historic Eastside is widely considered to be one of Jacksonville’s most important historically Black neighborhoods. This September, a group of community leaders gather at the Main Library to discuss what being a part of the Florida Main Street Program means for the community and what’s next in its rich history.
Saturday, September 14, at 2 p.m. | Main Library
This program is made possible by a grant from the Mellon Foundation. It will include a 40-minute discussion with urban planner and moderator Ennis Davis and three panelists, followed by a 20-minute audience Q&A. Davis is also a published author, co-owner and contributor for The Jaxson and Modern Cities and founder of MetroJacksonville.com.
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#Writer's Lab Workshops
Poetry Unleashed: Building Bonds Through Verse with Taryn Wharwood
You may know Taryn "LoveReigns" Wharwood for her work with Jax Poetry Fest and Hope at Hand, Inc.. This September, she 's one of several special guest presenters at Jax Book Fest "Writer's Day." In this free workshop, she will share her insights into the transformative power of poetry, highlighting its ability to connect people on a deeper level and foster empathy and understanding.
Saturday, September 20, at 12 - 1:30 p.m. | Main Library
Sense of Place & Identity in Immigrant Fiction with Sohrah Homi Fracis
International Book Award winner Sohrab Homi Fracis leads a special workshop for writers during Jax Book Fest "Writer's Day" on Friday, September 20, exploring identity and sense of place in immigrant fiction. His book, True Fiction, won the 2023 International Book Award for story collections. He also received the Florida Individual Artist Fellowship and the South Asian Literary Association’s Distinguished Achievement Award.
Saturday, September 20, at 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. | Main Library
Visual Storytelling with Jax Book Fest Featured Author Vashti Harrison
In addition to a Junior Lit Chat on Saturday, September 21, our featured children's book author, Vashti Harrison, will lead a 90-minute hands-on workshop on Friday, September 20, for aspiring children's book authors and illustrators. She'll demonstrate how she uses film and animation visual development techniques to make stories and characters leap off the page and walk participants through story and character development exercises.
Saturday, September 20, at 2:30 - 4 p.m. | Main Library
Writing Stories, Lifting Voices, Sharing Lives (Oral History 101) with Dr. Kitty Oliver
We are pleased to welcome creative writer, scholar, oral history storyteller, and performing artist Dr. Kitty Oliver to Jax Book Fest "Writer's Day" on Friday, September 20, for a thought-provoking, entertaining journey through the complexities of collecting, writing, and preserving the stories and histories of marginalized communities today. This program is funded by a $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation.
Saturday, September 20, at 4 - 5 p.m. | Main Library
Pressbooks Public: Self-Publishing Workshops with Emily Gooding of Biblioboard
Our partners at Biblioboard will be offering a FREE one-hour, hands-on workshop on how to format and publish your manuscript using Pressbooks Public. With this FREE online tool, you can submit your e-book to the Florida Indie Author Collection or get your manuscript ready for on-demand printing. Pressbooks is a great option if you want complete control over your own content or the ability to collaborate with other authors and editors.
Saturday, Sept 10, at 12 - 1 p.m., 2-3 p.m., or 4-5 p.m. | Main Library
#Lit Chat Author Interviews
Teen Lit Chat Interview with Jason Reynolds
Jason Reynolds is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many award-winning books, including Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks, All American Boys (with Brendan Kiely), Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You (with Ibram X. Kendi), Stuntboy, in the Meantime (illustrated by Raúl the Third), and Ain’t Burned All the Bright (with artwork by Jason Griffin). Reynolds was also the 2020-2022 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.
Saturday, September 21, at 11:30 a.m. | Main Library
Register for the FREE author talk!
Recommended for teens (ages 12-17) and their families. Adult fans of "Middle Grades" and "Young Adult" (YA) books are also welcome. A book signing will follow the interview with copies of Jason Reynold's books available for sale on-site from San Marco Books & More.
Lit Chat Interview with Gabrielle Zevin
Gabrielle Zevin is a #1 New York Times bestselling novelist whose books have been translated into forty languages! Her tenth novel, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, was a New York Times bestseller, a Sunday Times bestseller, and Time Magazine’s #1 Book of the Year. Her novel The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry also spent many months on the New York Times Best Seller List and is now a feature film (with a screenplay by Zevin).
Saturday, September 21, at 3 p.m. | Main Library
Register for the FREE author talk!
A book signing will follow the interview with a limited number of copies of Gabrielle Zevin's books available for sale on-site from Femme Fire Books.
Lit Chat Interview with Sheila Athens
Local author Sheila Athens writes smart contemporary fiction set where the South meets the Sunshine State. Her stories are about women seeking to find the peace we all deserve. She joins us to talk about her latest book, Mae Van Dorn’s Perfect Storm. She will be in conversation with local author Jessica Hatch. Sheila will sign books after the program, and a limited number of books will be available for sale from The Bookmark.
Saturday, September 28, at 2-3 p.m. | Beaches Branch Library
Register for the FREE author talk!
#Other Programs
Life Lab: Improve Your Day-to-Day Life
Grow your own garden or small business and take control of your health, career, and personal finances! Life Lit is now Life LAB - a series of free workshops offered by trained professionals and volunteers, aimed at improving your life. They cover a wide range of topics from gardening to financial literacy to small business needs. No need to bring anything but yourself to participate!
Coming up this month:
- Fertilizing Your Lawn with UF/IFAS - Tuesday, Sept 17, at 6 p.m. | San Marco Branch
- Cool Weather Plants with UF/IFAS - Tuesday, Sept 17, at 6 p.m. | University Park Branch
- Conscious Consumption with EY - Tuesday, Sept 24, at 6:30 p.m. | University Park Branch
Library Book Clubs
Library Book Clubs continue this September with some great book discussions. Are you a Scottish Mystery fan? Love True Crime stories? Read graphic novels? There are Book Clubs for all types of readers! And if you can't get enough reading and recommendations: There's also still plenty of time to finish the Jax Stacks Reading Challenge and pick up a few books from one of the three #1 New York Times bestselling authors who'll be headlining Jax Book Fest 2024.
#You May Also Like...
Hey, Book Club fans: We've got some exciting news from the Library Foundation of Jacksonville!
Members of library and other community book clubs throughout Duval County are invited to a first-of-its-kind Book Club Celebration featuring New York Times and international bestselling author Madeline Martin on Saturday, October 19 from 1-4 p.m. in the Conference Center at Main Library.
Madeline Martin will discuss her experience as a writer, local book club member, and an author-guest of numerous book clubs across the country. Tenikka Hughes, news anchor for CBS 47 and Fox 30, will also facilitate a panel of local book club leaders and address questions from the audience. Rona Brinlee, owner of The BookMark in Neptune Beach, will discuss popular books and upcoming releases of particular interest to book clubs.
Please note: This is a fundraising event, benefitting the Library Foundation of Jacksonville, with a ticket price of $35. The mission of the Library Foundation is to inspire, advocate and grow philanthropic support for the Jacksonville Public Library in service to lifelong learners throughout our diverse community. The BookMark will also have Madeline Martin's books and others for sale at the event.
