# Support Local Authors at Jax Book Fest
Jax Book Fest returns this year over two Saturdays at the Main Library. This annual celebration brings together authors, readers, writers, and book lovers of all types.
Between July 2 and August 8, we put out a call for local authors who write books for children and/or teen readers, asking them to sell and sign copies of their book(s) alongside Shannon Messenger, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series and New York Times bestselling author and U.S. National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, Mac Barnett.
Youth Readers' Day
On Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9:30 to 2 p.m., you'll have the chance to meet and support these local storytellers! Mark your calendars and get ready to dive into the magic of books at this year's event.
# Local Authors on the 1st/Ground Floor
| Creator | You may know them from... | Age range |
| Gail Carter-Cade | Uplifting the Pain of Behavioral and Learning Styles Through Poetry Now | 16-18 yrs |
| Cam | Matchmaker | 12-18 yrs |
| Danica Drew | Clair's Run in the Rain: A Memory of Bonded Love | 7-12 yrs |
| Kristene Fields | Moon Pies and RC Cola at the Rexall | middle grade |
| Kathryn Gomes | Exploring Creation with Mathematics | 6-10 yrs |
| Annette Harris | Mommy, Can You Teach Me About Money? | 5-12, 11-17 yrs |
| Domonique Jackson | Harry, the Healthy Hippo | older teens |
| Adolfo LaTorre | A Whale's Tale: The Story of Jonah | 5th grade and up |
| Ty Mangus | Drew Likes to Draw | 3-8, 5-12 yrs |
| JG Matheny | The Princess in My Head | 8-12 yrs |
| Vonnetta Dell Mayo | Joy in Sorrow, Hope for Tomorrow | teens |
| Sly Parker | Fairy Tales about the Beach | 11-13 yrs |
| Dr. Celeste Payne | My Amazing Spelling Dictionary | 7 -15 yrs |
| Barbara Charles Pement | Was...Was That Jesus? 23 Years in a Jesus Commune: a Memoir | 12 - adult |
| Zoe Persico | Georgia's Terrific, Colorific Experiment | 4-12 yrs |
| RadKat World | I'm a Secret Superhero | 1-10 yrs |
| Michael Regina |
Adamsville (Webtoons featured series) |
8 & up |
| Jennifer Sanchez |
The Cat With No Name |
5-10 yrs |
| Bobbi Simmons | Soil Sisters | 6-10 yrs |
| Silvana Spence | middle grade | |
| Leslie S Talley | The Closer the Bone | 10+ |
| Tiffany Flowers Towns | Zuri's Magic | 3-8, 6-10 |
| Mama V | The Planting Festival | 3-8, 12+ yrs |
| Terri Talley Venters | Sulfur Springs (Elements of Mystery - An Under the Magic the Magic Adventure) | 13+ |
| Akim Wilson | The Brown Unicorn | 4-10 yrs |
Talented Teens Showcase
Throughout the day, we're giving the spotlight (and a mic) to some talented student writers in the Main Library's Teen Room. Stop by this unique space, located next to the gallery on the first floor.
- 10:30 - 11 a.m.: Student-writers from LaVilla School of the Arts
- 1:30 - 2 p.m.: Douglas Anderson School of the Arts
This is also a great chance to learn more about Élan - an international student literary magazine and publication of the Creative Writing department at DA.
# Local Authors on the 2nd Floor
| Creator | You may know them from... | Age range |
| Selena Alston | Sparklerella: a Story about Fashion and Courage | 6-8 yrs |
| Steve Asbell | Flap Your Hands: a Celebration of Stimming | 5-10 yrs |
| Dr. Sharon D. Wright Austin | Political Black Girl Magic | 8 & under |
| Shannon B | 4-9 yrs | |
| Rosie Baskett | Beauregard's Brave Leap | 4-9 yrs |
| BayaBooks and More | 12 & under | |
| Jane Berge | The Adventures of Martha and Mary! | 4-9 yrs |
| Brittany Briggs | Self Love is Literal | 5-11 yrs |
| Erika Bush | The Amazing Things I Can Do! | 4-8 yrs |
| Judy Clausen | Jackson the Cummer Cat | up to 8 yrs |
| Sharon Collins | Becoming His Masterpiece | K-6th grade |
| Sonila Durollari | Exploring the river Captain Carter | 2-8 yrs |
| Steven Eurioste | Curiosity and Encouragement | 2-8 yrs |
| Dr. Tiffany G | Kyn's Big Wins | 3-9 yrs |
| Rhonda Goodall | 2-10, 4-14 | |
| Cindi Handley Goodeaux | The Adventures of Princess Jellybeans | 0-10 yrs |
| Hope Hershey & Dr. Lori Hershey | Ezra's Day Off | K-3 (ages 5-8) |
| Dr. Letisha Jefferson | Zoe's Day with Dr. J | 2-8 yrs |
| Erin Mah | No Birds for Breakfast | 0-7 yrs |
| Kayla McManama | Just Breathe | 5-8 yrs |
| Heather Marie | The Adventures of Pickle Juice and Patty Cakes | |
| Dr. Shaun Powell | The Little Fib That Grew | K-3 (ages 5-8) |
| Dr. Faith Roberts-Graham | The Very Hungry Little Girl | 3-8 yrs |
| Jessica Singer | Charlotte and Pip's Italian Adventure | |
| Lola Soto | The Engineer and His Kitty | 4-7, 6-9 yrs |
# Support Local Authors All Year Long
Jacksonville Public Library strives to make the work of Jacksonville-area authors more accessible to the reading public. To that end, we offer monthly writing and publishing workshops, author talks, free self-publishing tools, and curated collections all to highlight and help encourage local authorship.
Click the links below to find out more:
- Check out the Local Author Collection or Zine Collection at the Main Library
- Find e-books from Jax authors in the #ReadLocal Collection on BiblioBoard Library
- Attend an upcoming Writer's Lab workshop or Lit Chat author program
- Watch past Lit Chat Interviews on YouTube or listen on our Completely Booked podcast
Note: For the purposes of this event and our collection, "local" includes authors living in:
- Duval, Nassau, Clay, St. Johns, Baker, Union, and Bradford Counties in Florida, and Camden, Charlton, and Glynn Counties in Georgia
