The Lee County Library System’s 24th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival will host 25 authors at the March event. Authors for all ages are coming to Fort Myers to meet fans and showcase their books from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 4, 2023. The free event will be held on the outdoor campus of the Fort Myers Regional Library located at 2450 First St.
The Southwest Florida Reading Festival is a time-honored tradition in the community, with attendees coming back year after year to hear author presentations, meet-and-greet with a diverse line-up of bestselling authors and have their books signed. This celebration is a great opportunity for fans to discover the latest books and digital resources offered by the library plus storytelling programs, youth writing award presentations, arts and crafts, and a free book for every child and teen attending the event.
“I am so proud of this signature library event and the opportunity it provides to highlight the importance of literacy and libraries,” said Mindi Simon, director of the Lee County Library System. “Plus, it gives the community a chance to meet their favorite authors, ask questions and learn about their work.”
Among the talented author lineup scheduled to attend are bestselling authors for adults, teens and children, including Newbery Award-winning youth writers Meg Medina and Lauren Wolk. Featured teen authors include Florida Teens Read writer Axie Oh and historical fiction crossover novelist Ruta Sepetys. Adult authors include Kristin Harmel, Alka Joshi and thriller writers Kendra Elliot, Joseph Finder, Gregg Hurwitz and Melinda Leigh.
Attendees wishing for exclusive access to meet and mingle with this year’s authors can do so at An Evening with the Authors, a fundraising dinner scheduled to take place Friday, March 3, at the Edison Restaurant, Bar and Banquet Center. Tickets will be available soon on the festival website at www.ReadFest.org.
The complete lineup of authors and most up-to-date information can be found by downloading the festival’s free mobile app “SWFL Reads,” which is available from the App Store or Google Play. Savvy festivalgoers who downloaded the app for last year’s event will need an update to access the new content.
The Southwest Florida Reading Festival is free and community-supported through donations, sponsorships and grants. Visit www.ReadFest.org to make a secure online donation. More information is available at www.ReadFest.org or by calling 239-533-4832.
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