Programs for Adult Readers and Writers this August

Get on the WRITE Track

Local writers and aspiring authors: Hone your craft, make connections, and explore paths to publishing at Jax Book Fest presents: Writer's Day from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, in the Conference Center. It's a full day of free writing and publishing workshops! 

August Book Club Picks

Having trouble finding your next read? We have 16 book clubs providing great reading recommendations every month. Plus, you can meet with other book lovers to talk about the book and swap recommendations and read-a-likes. 

Join a Book Club

Jax Book Fest presents: Writer's Day

A conference-style event offering 12 different workshops, Writer's Day is all about helping writers finish and publish your first (or next) book. The event includes a featured workshop with New York Times bestselling author Madeline Martin. Workshops are scheduled at 10 a.m., 12: 15 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.. Each workshop lasts 90 minutes, with a 45-minute break between sessions. 

Funding for these programs was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities.

THREE workshop paths, TWELVE different workshops, ONE big event!

Featured Workshop:

• How to Craft Characters that Connect with Readers
  • with featured guest, Madeline Martin
  • Offered three times, at 10 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.

Writing Workshops:

• 5 Key Strategies to Keep Writing When You Don't Feel Like It
  • with author and editor Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes
  • 10 - 11:30 a.m., Center for Adult Learning (CAL)
• Understanding Your Audience and the Neuroscience Behind Great Writing
  • with Licia Rester and Georgette Green, Indigo River Publishing
  • 10 - 11:30 a.m., Hick's Auditorium (AUD)
• Adjust Your Lens: How to Expand and Refine Your Revision Practices
  • with Fati D., literary artist and educator
  • 12:15 - 1:45 p.m., Center for Adult Learning (CAL)
• Ekphrastic Poetry: How to Use Visual Art as Writing Inspiration
  • with Douglas Anderson School of the Arts students, Élan staff members
  • 12:15 - 1:45 p.m., Learning Space (LRN)
• Nonfiction that Connects: How to Create Books Readers Can't Put Down
  • with Licia Rester and Georgette Green, Indigo River Publishing
  • 12:15 - 1:45 p.m., Hick's Auditorium (AUD)
• The Infinite Echo: Navigating the AI Revolution in Writing and Publishing
  • with Sid Dobrin, Professor of English at UF
  • 2:30 - 4 p.m., Learning Space (LRN)
• Brain Chemistry and Page Turners: How to Craft Fiction that Hooks Readers
  • with Licia Rester and Georgette Green, Indigo River Publishing
  • 2:30 - 4 p.m., Hick's Auditorium (AUD)

Publishing Workshops:

• How to Find Your Publishing Path
  • with Laurie Dennison, Creative Media Agency
  • 10 - 11:30 a.m., Learning Space (LRN)
• Pressbooks: How to Format Your E-Book or Print-Ready Manuscript for Free
  • with Nash Steele, BiblioBoard
  • 10 - 11:30 a.m., G-4 Conference Room
• Indie Author Project: Share Your E-Books with Florida Readers & Libraries
  • with Nash Steele, BiblioBoard
  • 12:15 - 1:45 p.m., G-4 Conference Room
• How to Work with a Literary Agent
  • with Laurie Dennison, Creative Media Agency
  • 2:30 - 4 p.m., Center for Adult Learning (CAL)
• Pressbooks: How to Format Your E-Book or Print-Ready Manuscript for Free
  • with Nash Steele, BiblioBoard
  • 2:30 - 4 p.m., G-4 Conference Room

Learn more about Writer's Day

Lit Chat Author Talk with Del Sandeen

Del Sandeen is the author of This Cursed House and These Wall Remember (August 2026). She also writes speculative fiction and horror. Her work has appeared in FIYAH: Speculative Literary Magazine, Uncanny Magazine, Nightlight Podcast, and Gay magazine.

Meet the author from 7 to 7:30 p.m. on  Monday, Aug. 31, at Pablo Creek Library. A book signing will follow, but books will not be sold on site. You are welcome to bring your own or we will have bookplates available for Del to sign. If you don't already own Del's books, you can purchase a copy at local bookstore San Marco Books and More or online at Bookshop.org. 

Save your seat for the Lit Chat

Life Lab: Improve Your Day-to-Day Life

Life Lab is 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!

Upcoming Workshops:

• Genetic Genealogy Workshop
  • DNA Research for African American Families
  • with Adrienne Abiodun
  • 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, at Main Library
  • This program is made possible by a grant from the Mellon Foundation
• Dealing with Insect Pests in the Landscape
  • with UF/IFAS Extension Duval County
  • 6 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at Webb Wesconnett Library
• Genealogy Workshop: FamilySearch Demystified
  • with Ann Staley
  • 2 - 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Main Library
• Protect the Waterfront
  • with UF/IFAS Extension Duval County
  • 6 -  7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Murray Hill Branch
• Intro to Small Business Resources at the Library
  • 3 - 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, at Main Library
• Right Plant, Right Place
  • with UF/IFAS Extension Duval County
  • 6:30 - 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at University Park Branch
• Yard Waste - Recycle, Reduce, Reuse
  • with UF/IFAS Extension Duval County
  • 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at Mandarin Branch
• Bromiliads, the Perfect Plant for the Botanically Challenged
  • with UF/IFAS Extension Duval County
  • 6 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Webb Wesconnett Library

Search our events calendar for more workshops offered by our community partners at the Library.

Save the Date: Jax Book Fest 2026

Free Bookish Fun for Readers of All Ages

Jax Book Fest returns from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Main Library. Jacksonville Public Library's biggest, BOLDEST celebration of books, creativity, and the local literary community, this free, one-day event features 120+ local authors across multiple genres, Lit Chat author talks with three nationally acclaimed authors, and bookish fun for readers of all ages.

Lit Chat Interview with Emma Straub

Emma Straub is the New York Times bestselling author of seven books for adults: the novels American Fantasy, This Time Tomorrow, All Adults Here, The Vacationers, Modern Lovers, Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures, and the short story collection Other People We Married. Meet her from 3 - 4 p.m. in the Hick's Auditorium (Conference Level) during Jax Book Fest. A book signing will follow the Lit Chat Interview, with books available for sale on-site from local book store Happy Medium Books Café.

Sign up to meet Emma