Seventh Annual Sunshine State Book Festival
Gainesville, Florida
January 23 – January 24, 2026
Bringing Readers and Writers Together
FREE ADMISSION!
Come and enjoy a day of book browsing. Meet 100 local and regional authors
Outstanding authors from around Florida and the nation who write in many genres will gather at the beautiful Santa Fe College Fine Arts Hall on January 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to sell books and talk about their work.
Festivities include guest speakers, giveaways, storytelling, and a play.
Find festival event details here.
Make sure to bring the kids for story time—from 12 to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Supporting Florida Literacy
A celebration of learning and literacy for all ages! Fun and educational!
- Hourly drawings to win an autographed book!
- Informal opening-night reception Friday, January 23, 2026, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Best Western Gateway Grand Ballroom. Readers, sponsors, and interested members of the public—Come mingle with the authors!
- Sunshine State Teen Lit Awards.
Area middle and high school students are invited to participate in our short story contest to win one of ten scholarships. Entry details will be forthcoming. Scholarships will be awarded at the Sunshine State Book Festival on January 24 in the Santa Fe College Fine Arts Hall.
Celebrating Florida’s Literary History: Pirates to Present Day
Florida’s amazing literary history dates back over 250 years. Today, Gainesville is a leading center of literary culture where more than two hundred writers, novelists, playwrights, and poets call home.
From naturalist William Bartram, who penned his book Travels in the 1770s, to bestselling authors of today, writers have succumbed to the charm of our area. These include poet laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and winners of the science-fiction Nebula Award. The Sunshine State Book Festival’s goal is to further an appreciation of reading and provide the opportunity for readers to meet and interact with authors.
Florida’s Notable Regional Writers
Florida boasts of a diverse group of notable authors who have made significant contributions to the world of literature. From iconic authors Ernest Hemingway and Zora Neale Hurston to the celebrated poet Robert Frost, Florida has been home to writers who have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape. Many of these authors were inspired by Florida’s unique scenery, culture, and history, and their works continue to captivate readers around the world.
Literature/Novels
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings†, Harry Crews†, Zora Neale Hurston, Padgett Powell, Lauren Groff, Joe Haldeman, Jill Ciment, Lawrence Dorr, Charlotte Porter, James Haskins, Rick Yancy, Janis Owens
History/Memoir
Michael Gannon†, Sudie Cauthen, Paul Ortiz, Bob Mason, Kevin McCarthy, James Haskins†, Rick Kilby, David Coburn, Gary Mormino, Chris Monaco, John Pickard, Sidney Lanier†, George Barbour†, Daniel Schafer, Barbara Purdy, Jerry Milanich, Gary Libby, David Leavitt, Steve Noll
Naturalists/Environment
William Bartram†, John Muir†, Jack Davis, Archie Carr†, Bob Knight, Bill Belleville, Lars Andersen, Cynthia Barnett, Steve Noll, David Tedeger, Stetson Kennedy†, Margaret Tolbert, Murray Laurie, Gary Monroe
Poet Laureates
Robert Frost†, Lola Haskins, E. Stanley Richardson
Children’s Book Authros
Judy Blume, Ted Arnold, Carl Hiassen, Rob Sanders, and Kate DiCamillo
Author Registration Now Open
Register today! The number of spots is limited. Registration closes December 31, 2025, or sooner if the limit is reached. Last year, exhibit spaces sold out five months before the festival, so don’t delay
Registration includes:
- Half of a six-foot table to sell books on Saturday (chairs and tablecloth provided)
- Saturday morning breakfast of coffee, tea, and pastries
- Free lunch for authors at midday
- An invitation to Friday night’s reception with appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks
- Your name, photo, link to your website, and image of your latest book cover on the festival’s “Meet the Authors” page
- Your photo, name, exhibit-space number, and brief bio in the festival program
Terms of Exhibitor Participation
Festival Schedule Overview
January 23, 2026
Best Western Gateway Grand
4200 NW 97th Blvd. Gainesville, Florida
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Writer Workshop Intensive
(Registration required)
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Meet & Greet Authors Reception
January 24, 2026
Santa Fe College Fine Arts Hall
3000 NW 83rd St., Gainesville, Florida
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Meet Authors Showcase and Expo
10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Sunshine State Teen Lit Awards
12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Children’s Story Time. Readings by children’s book authors.
1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Santa Fe College Lyceum Theater (building E)
Keynote Speaker Dr. James Clark
2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Santa Fe College Lyceum Theater (Building E)
Pamela D. Marshall presents Zora Neale Hurston
Thank You to Our Community Partners
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.
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.