January 27–28, 2023
January 27–28, 2023
Held at Trinity United Methodist Church
The Ilene Silverman Show dedicated an entire episode to the 2023 Sunshine State Book Festival broadcast on five Gainesville-area TV stations. Click to watch on YouTube. Many thanks to Ilene!
The 2023 Sunshine State Book Festival brought readers and writers together again for the fourth year. The festival featured 150 authors writing in 15 genres. Over a third of them have won literary awards.
A book festival is a celebration of learning and literacy that should be fun as well as educational, bringing together people of all ages who share a love of reading and who will leave the event inspired by their experiences.
This year ten high school students each won a $100 scholarship in our essay contest.
This year’s keynote address was given by notable author Janis Owens.
See the list of presentations below to view her keynote address.
In addition to the keynote address by Janis Owen, the 2023 program featured readings by ten festival authors, and a panel discussion. each presentation was recorded and may be played by clicking on the presenter's photo.
Reading by Ann~Marie Magné from her memoir Almost Ticked Off (16 minutes).
Reading
by Shana Smith
from her historical fiction Islands of Cedars (24 minutes).
Reading by Deb Boelkes from her non-fiction book The WOW Factor Workplace (25 minutes).
Reading
by Parker Francis
from his mystery novel Matanzas Bay (15 minutes).
Reading by Reinfred Addo from his poetry collection (washed over...or, things dedicated) (23 minutes).
Reading by J. C. Bruce from his latest mystery Strange Currents (18 minutes).
Keynote address by noted author Janis Owens (60 minutes).
Reading by Alycin Hayes from her travel memoir Amazon Hitchhiker (21 minutes).
Reading by Elle E. Ire from her paranormal novel Harsh Reality (24 minutes).
Reading by Marie Q. Rogers from her YA science fiction novel Quest for Namai (18 minutes).
Reading by Joy Castro from her literary thriller Flight Risk (23 minutes).
Other Worlds: panel discussion with science fiction and fantasy authors William Deen Ferrell, Rachel C. Thompson, Andrew M. Seddon, and Valerie Willis. (65 minutes).
Photos by Allison Durham, Jenny Dearinger, Alycin Hayes, Martha Louise, Laura Robb, Lorilyn Roberts, Wendy Thornton, and Win$ome Bentley.
Please consider becoming one of our sponsors.
View a video on our Youtube channel.
The Sunshine State Book Festival is funded in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County, FL. This program/event is funded in part by a grant from the City of Gainesville, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department. Additional funding for this program was provided through a grant from the Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: DTN: 3642940 License #: CH66096
A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the state. 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com.
Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.
