The Jacksonville Public Library will host the Jax Book Fest over two Saturdays in September, expanding its annual literary event to accommodate a growing audience. The festival begins on Saturday, September 13, with Writers’ Day, which features workshops for aspiring writers from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Topics include revising manuscripts, understanding traditional publishing, and navigating contracts and licensing. National Book Award winner Tiya Miles will lead two featured programs focused on writing across genres and documenting women’s lives.
Katie Devanny, Manager for Adult Learning at Jacksonville Public Library, commented on the expanded format: “We’re excited to spread Jax Book Fest across two Saturdays this year. The festival has grown so much over the past six years because people really love it, and they tell us! We’ve gotten great feedback. We want to serve the readers and writers of all ages throughout Jacksonville and Duval.”
On Saturday, September 20, Youth Readers’ Day will highlight children’s and teen literature from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring more than 60 local authors as well as New York Times bestselling authors Shannon Messenger and Mac Barnett. Activities for families include Junior and Teen Lit Chat author talks, face painting, balloon artists, the River City Readers Bookmobile, and other free youth activities.
Since its inception as a single-day event six years ago, Jax Book Fest has become one of Jacksonville’s main literary gatherings. Attendance numbers have increased each year as both local and national authors participate in programming designed for readers of all ages.
All events take place at the Main Library located at 303 N. Laura St., with admission free of charge; advance registration is recommended with a library card required for pre-registration. Special event parking is available at the Duval Street Parking Garage for $5; street parking downtown is free on Saturdays.
Tiya Miles’ appearance is supported by a grant from the Mellon Foundation through the library’s African American history initiative. Mac Barnett will lead a Junior Lit Chat session with a talk followed by Q&A on September 20; Shannon Messenger will speak during Teen Lit Chat that same day.
For further details or registration information about Jax Book Fest events or other library services—including their record of more than 2 million visits last year—visit https://jaxpubliclibrary.org/bookfest or call 904-255-BOOK (2665).
