2023 Registration is open!
January 27 – 28, 2023
Welcome to the 2023 Sunshine State Book Festival—bringing readers and writers together again. This year we’ve made several changes important to participating authors.
Authors of all genres are invited to participate in the 2023 festival. The
goal of Writers Alliance of Gainesville (WAG) is to promote, encourage, and
support writers. The Sunshine State Book Festival is one of the ways WAG
does that.
In this, our fourth year, the Sunshine State Book Festival is proud of what we have accomplished, and invite you to view photos of our past festivals.
Don’t delay. Author tables have sold out for every previous festival. Secure your place in the festival by registering now! View a list of authors who have already registered for 2023.
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.
Florida has an impressive literary history dating back to William Bartram
nearly 250 years ago. Today, Gainesville is a leading center of literary
culture and home to hundreds of writers, novelists, playwrights, and poets,
many of whom you can meet at the Sunshine State Book Festival on Saturday,
January 28, 2023, and at the author reception the night before.
Last year over one-third of our festival participants were prize-winning authors.
We are pleased to announce that noted author Janis Owens has agreed to be our keynote speaker. She is the author of four novels, a regional cookbook, and a book of nonfiction.
The only daughter of a Pentecostal preacher turned insurance salesman, she inherited her love of storytelling from her parents. Born in Marianna, Florida, she now lives in Newberry, Florida. Owens attended the University of Florida and studied under famed novelist Harry Crews. Her novels include My Brother Michael,The Schooling of Claybird Catts, Myra Sims, and American Ghost.
Owens’s essays on Florida life have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Writer’s Digest, and many other publications. She also published a memoir cookbook, The Cracker Kitchen, with an Introduction by Pat Conroy. Her latest book, Hidden in Plain Sight: A History of the Newberry Mass Lynching of 1916, concerns the aftermath of a dark period in the history of the American South.
Free Admission for the public
Letting visitors know about our festival is obviously important. Our marketing and publicity plan includes both print and electronic media. Media outlets have been identified, including newspapers, magazines, area radio and television stations, and online community calendars. We also plan to initiate a social media campaign to advertise the event and promote interaction among participants and their followers. Schools, libraries, bookstores, retirement homes, museums, and other organizations are part of our outreach program.
Help Spread the Word
We’d appreciate your help to get the word out. Please mention to fellow authors that festival registration is now open, but spaces are limited. Send them the link: SunshineStateBookFestival.com.
After you’ve registered, share our link on social media and add it to your blog or website.
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church Directions
The festival is completely indoors and will be held January 28, 2023, rain or shine.
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church Directions
Keynote address by noted author Janis Owens
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church Education Building
Note to authors interested in doing a reading:
Readings are fifteen minutes in length, followed by a five-minute Q&A and a ten-minute break between readings.
There are ten available slots for author readings and four openings on the panel discussion.
The slots will be assigned based, in part, on offering festival attendees a variety of genres.
Slot assignments will be announced in early September. Only authors registered by September 1, 2022, will be considered.
Information about how to apply for a reading slot will be included in your registration confirmation email. You must register for the festival before you can apply.
4000 N.W. 53rd Ave
Gainesville, Florida
Easy access and plenty of free parking.
Food trucks will provide dining choices.
Trinity United Methodist Church is located on NW 53rd Ave., just east of NW 43rd St. Look for festival signs at the driveway entrance.
4200 NW 97th Blvd
Gainesville, Florida
Phone: (352) 331-3336
Closest hotel to the Festival.
Discounted room rate.
Located just west of I-75, exit 390.
Recommended hotel for out-of-town Festival attendees.
Nearby Best Western Gateway Grand hotel has reserved a block of rooms at a discounted rate for festival attendees. To get the special rate, call (352) 331-3336 for reservations and ask for the Sunshine State Book Festival rate. Note: the discount is not available from Best Western's nationwide reservation number or website. Call the hotel directly.
We again look to the business community, non-profit organizations, and government agencies for their generous support.
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.
