[Fla-facrl] Virtual Southwest Florida Reading Festival - March 1-13

[Guy Cicinelli]

The 22nd annual Southwest Florida ReadingFestival (https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ReadFest.org__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXjXv0cpFg$ ) this March will be a month-long, fully virtual celebration of thepower of reading brought to the community by the Lee County Library System. 

 Nearly 30 acclaimed authors willprovide nightly programming March 1-12. Other highlights include theopportunity to video chat with headlining and local authors during thefestival’s live booth hours on 1-3 p.m. Saturday, March 6, and Saturday, March13. Grab-and-go crafts, a reading program with festival bingo and onlineS.T.E.A.M. contests featuring Lego builds, art and creativity challenges arealso part of the fun.

 “Our library system is pleased toonce again provide our signature event for the community,” said Mindi Simon,library director. “The online format allows us to extend the festival’s lengthand scope.”

 Patrons can log on to https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.eventhub.shop/readfest__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXg_qQknQg$  beginning Feb. 22 for a preview of the festival. Author presentations willbroadcast weekday evenings March 1-5 and March 8-12, with youth and teenauthors at 6 p.m. and adult authors at 7 p.m. 

 Each interview is followed by aninteractive, live meet & greet to interact with authors and ask questionsvia video or text chat. Additional opportunities to chat with authors will beoffered during the Saturday live booth sessions at 1 p.m. After live eventsconclude on March 13, festival attendees will be able to watch recorded contenton-demand through March 31.

 Participants are encouraged to signup for the online reading and activity challenge or complete the paper-basedreading bingo for chances to win prizes and book baskets with festival authorbook titles. The deadline to log reading and activities is March 31. 

 S.T.E.A.M. contest prizes includenumerous Lego sets, as well as arts and crafts supplies, with contest entriesaccepted through March 14. Online public voting will take place March 15-31.The eligible entries with the most votes will win the prizes for each category.

 The Library System’s commitment toreading continues with providing each participating child and teen with a new,free book. This year, the free books will be distributed in age-appropriategrab-and-go craft bags, available while supplies last at the 13 Lee CountyLibrary System branches starting Feb. 22. Adults will receive a book in theircraft kits as well, which will incorporate various patterns to become part of afolded book art craft.

 The lineup of award-winning authorsscheduled to participate in the festival includes adult authors JenniferChiaverini, Gregg Hurwitz, Jayne Ann Krentz and Kyle Mills, as well as youthand teen authors J.C. Cervantes, Greg Pizzoli, Julie Berry and Ryan La Sala.The complete list of authors can be found at https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ReadFest.org__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXjXv0cpFg$ .

 TheSouthwest Florida Reading Festival is free and community-supported throughdonations, sponsorships and grants. To help ensure the continuation of thisfree community event, please visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ReadFest.org__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXjXv0cpFg$  to make a secureonline donation. More information is available at https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ReadFest.org__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXjXv0cpFg$  or by calling 239-533-4832. 

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 ABOUTTHE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA READING FESTIVAL

TheSouthwest Florida Reading Festival is a family-friendly event that celebratesbooks and the written word. The Festival began in 1999 with the goals ofemphasizing the importance of reading and bringing the finest literary talentto Southwest Florida. Now in its 22nd year, this free festival has grown inpopularity and attracts thousands of book-loving attendees annually. Some of the pastauthors include Sue Monk Kidd, Susan Mallery, R.L. Stine, Janet Evanovich,Nelson DeMille, Jeff Kinney and hundreds more. 

 The Reading Festival’s objectives are topromote reading and literacy, increase awareness of the library’s programs andresources and foster partnerships between the Lee County Library System and thecommunity. It is also an opportunity to share with the community the availableresources and services at their local Lee County libraries with a library card.The Reading Festival aims to build a literate community by encouraging childrento develop an interest in reading independently, which fosters an increase invocabulary and improved writing skills. For more information, visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ReadFest.org__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXjXv0cpFg$ . 

   Adult Authors


JenniferChiaverini is the award-winning, New York Timesbestselling author of acclaimed historical novels, including “ResistanceWomen,” “Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker” and the beloved “Elm Creek Quilts” series.A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the University of Chicago, shelives with her husband and two sons in Madison, Wisconsin. Her latest releaseis “Mrs. Lincoln’s Sisters.” Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.jenniferchiaverini.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXhs3DaVuQ$ 

JulieClark grew up reading books on the beach while everyone elsesurfed. After attending college at University of the Pacific, she returned hometo Santa Monica to teach. She now lives there with her two young sons and agolden doodle with poor impulse control. Her debut novel, “The Ones We Choose,”was published in 2018, and has been optioned for television by Lionsgate. Visithttps://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.julieclarkbooks.org__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXiHjP2JYg$ .

ChanelCleeton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author ofthe Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick, “Next Year in Havana” and “When We LeftCuba.” Originally from Florida, she grew up on stories of her family's exodusfrom Cuba following the Cuban Revolution. She has a bachelor's degree inInternational Relations, a master's degree in Global Politics and received herJuris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.chanelcleeton.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXiSK5_MDw$ .

BenCoes is the New York Times bestselling author of internationalespionage thrillers, including “Bloody Sunday,” “Trap the Devil,” “Eye for anEye,” “Independence Day,” and “First Strike.” Before writing his first novel,“Power Down,” he worked at the White House under two presidents and was aFellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. He lives with his wife andfour children in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.bencoes.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXjHF3k-Hw$ .

TrishDoller has written several young adult novels, including thecritically acclaimed “Something Like Normal” as well as “Float Plan,” her women'sfiction debut releasing in March. A former journalist and radio personality,she lives in Florida with an opinionated herding dog and an ex-pirate. Visithttps://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.trishdoller.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXjYW2YBhw$ 

RachelHauck is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling andaward-winning author living in sunny central Florida with her husband, apastor. Her latest release is “To Love a Prince.” Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.rachelhauck.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXi7HrJCBQ$ .

GreggHurwitz is the New York Times #1 internationally bestselling authorof 22 thrillers including the “ORPHAN X” series. His novels have won numerousliterary awards and have been published in 32 languages. He has writtenscreenplays and television scripts for many of the major studios and networks,comics for DC and Marvel and political and culture pieces for The Wall StreetJournal, The Guardian and others. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.gregghurwitz.net__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXgmcz99GQ$ .

EloisaJames is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author andprofessor of English literature. She lives with her family in New York, but cansometimes be found in Paris or Italy. She is the mother of two and, in aparticularly delicious irony for a romance writer, is married to a genuineItalian knight. Her latest release is “My Last Duchess.” Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.eloisajames.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXg5fUlyWw$ .

NancyJohnson worked for more than a decade as an Emmy-nominated,award-winning television journalist at network affiliates in West Palm Beachand Tampa Bay. She lives in downtown Chicago now and manages brandcommunications for a large nonprofit. “The Kindest Lie,” a February 2021release, is her first novel. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.nancyjohnson.net__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXiJ-TGdbA$ .

JulieKlassen has written 16 historical novels which have sold over amillion copies. She is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award and has alsowon the Minnesota Book Award and the Midwest Book Award. Her latest is theDecember 2020 release, “A Castaway in Cornwall.” Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.julieklassen.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXgxsR2cvQ$ .

JayneAnn Krentz, under various pen names, is the author of more than 50New York Times bestsellers. With more than 40 million novels sold, she is oneof the most commercially successful authors writing today. She lives inSeattle. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.jayneannkrentz.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXh3Kwh5bw$ .

KyleMills is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 19 politicalthrillers, including “Red War” for Vince Flynn and “The Patriot Attack”for Robert Ludlum. He initially found inspiration from his father, the formerdirector of Interpol, and still draws on his contacts in the intelligencecommunity to give his books such realism. Avid outdoor athletes, he and hiswife have lived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for over 20 years. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.kylemills.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXjHdtrtvg$ .

AlishaRai pensaward-winning contemporary romances and her novels have been named Best Booksof the Year by the Washington Post, NPR, Amazon, Entertainment Weekly, Kirkusand Cosmopolitan Magazine. When she’s not writing, Alisha is traveling ortweeting. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.alisharai.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXgmFtnF9g$ . 

KimVogel Sawyer told her teacher back in 1966 that somedaypeople would check out her book in libraries. Her little-girl dream came truein 2006 with “Waiting for Summer’s Return” and now more than 50 of her titlesgrace library shelves. Kim lives in small-town Kansas, the setting for many ofher novels. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.kimvogelsawyer.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXgdzOvrQw$ .

CatSebastian lives in a swampy part of the South with her husband, threekids and two dogs. Before her kids were born, she practiced law and taught highschool and college writing. When she isn’t reading or writing, she’s doingcrossword puzzles, bird watching and wondering where she put her coffee cup.Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.catsebastian.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXhOuUhCcg$ .

 KidsAuthors

J.C.Cervantes is the New York Times bestselling author of books forchildren and young adults. Her books have appeared on national lists, includingthe American Booksellers Association New Voices, Barnes and Noble’s Best YoungReader Books and Favorite MG Science Fiction/Fantasy Top Ten Books, as well asAmazon’s Best Books of the Month. She has earned multiple awards andrecognitions, including the New Mexico Book Award and the Zia Book Award. Herlatest release is “The Shadow Crosser,” the final book in “The StormRunner” trilogy. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.jennifercervantes.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXiAe4YhMA$ .

LesaCline-Ransome is the award-winning author of books for youngreaders including “Not Playing by the Rules: 21 Female Athletes Who ChangedSports,” “Young Pele: Soccer’s First Star,” and “Before She Was Harriet.” Hernumerous honors include the Jane Addams Honor Award, the Christopher Award,Kirkus Best Book of the Year and three NAACP Image Award nominations. Her debutmiddle grade novel “Finding Langston” received the Coretta Scott King AuthorHonor and the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.lesaclineransome.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXjAHArfdA$ .

AnikaAldamuy Denise is the author of ten picture books includingthe Pura Belpré author honor-winning “Planting Stories: The Life of Librarianand Storyteller Pura Belpré” and “A Girl Named Rosita: The Story of RitaMoreno: Actor, Singer, Dancer, Trailblazer!” Raised in Queens, New York, shenow lives with her husband and three daughters in Rhode Island. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.anikadenise.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXgzTaoj5w$ .

JohnPatrick Green is the author of “Hippopotamister,” “KittenConstruction Company” and the New York Times bestselling “InvestiGators”series. He is also the artist and co-creator of the “Teen Boat!” graphic novelswith writer Dave Roman. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.investigatorsbooks.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXg-O4Xl5Q$ .

TerriLibenson is the New York Times bestselling author of the children’sbooks “Becoming Brianna,” “Just Jaime” and the popular middle grade series,“Emmie & Friends.” She is the award-winning cartoonist of thesyndicated daily comic strip The Pajama Diaries which ran in hundreds ofnewspapers internationally from 2006 - 2020. Born and raised in Kingston, PA,Terri lives with her husband and two daughters in Cleveland, OH. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.terrilibenson.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXh7KBbaPA$ .

GregPizzoli is the creator of the “Baloney and Friends” graphic novelseries, as well as the author and illustrator of the award-winning picturebooks “The Watermelon Seed,” “Good Night Owl” and “The Book Hog.” He is theillustrator of the “Jack” series by Mac Barnett, “Crunch the Shy Dinosaur” byCirocco Dunlap and two books by Margaret Wise Brown. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.gregpizzoli.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXgdHAypWg$ .

JamesRansome is an award-winning illustrator of over 60 books. Hereceived the Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrations for his book, “TheCreation” and several Coretta Scott Honors for many of his other books.James is the recipient of The Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance award, theNAACP Image Award for Illustration and is an ALA Notable Book recipient. Helives in Rhinebeck, New York with his wife Lesa Cline-Ransome, a writer ofchildren’s books. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.jamesransome.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXhJIFEUmQ$ .

ChristinaSoontornvat is the author of the fantasy middle gradeseries, “The Changelings” and the early chapter book series “Diary of an IcePrincess.” Her most recent books include the middle grade fantasy “A Wish inthe Dark” and “All Thirteen,” a nonfiction account of the Thai Cave Rescue.Christina holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree inscience education. She spent a decade working in the science museum field,where she designed programs and exhibits to get kids excited about science.Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.soontornvat.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXghOo6frQ$ .

MelissaStewart has written more than 180 science books for children,including the ALA Notable “Feathers: Not Just for Flying,” illustratedby Sarah S. Brannen; the SCBWI Golden Kite Honor title “Pipsqueaks, Slowpokesand Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs,” illustrated by Stephanie Laberisand “Can an Aardvark Bark?,” illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Steve Jenkins.Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.melissa-stewart.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXhQ5cm5OA$ .


TeenAuthors

JulieBerry wrote the Walden & Golden Kite Award winner “LovelyWar,” the Printz Honor & LA Times Book Prize shortlisted “The Passion ofDolssa,” the Carnegie & Edgar shortlisted “All the Truth That’s in Me,”“The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place,” and others. She holds degreesfrom Rensselaer and Vermont College. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.julieberrybooks.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXjLvNf30Q$ .

EmilyArsenault is the author of several adult and young adult suspensenovels including “The Leaf Reader,” “All the Pretty Things,” “The Last Thing ITold You,” “What Strange Creatures” and “When All the Girls Are Sleeping,” aJuly 2021 release. She lives in Shelburne Falls, MA. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.emilyarsenault.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXhBux9v2A$ .

AshleyElston is the author of several novels including “This Is OurStory” and “The Rules for Disappearing,” a finalist in the Best Young AdultNovel category of the International Thriller Awards. She graduated with aLiberal Arts degree from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Ashleyworked for many years as a wedding photographer before turning her hand towriting. She lives in Louisiana with her husband and three sons. Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ashleyelston.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXjgYmYJ1A$ .

RyanLa Sala grew up in Connecticut, but only physically. Mentally, hespent most of his childhood in the worlds of Sailor Moon and Xena: WarriorPrincess, which perhaps explains all the twirling. He studied Anthropology andNeuroscience at Northeastern University before becoming a project managerspecialized in digital tools. He technically lives in New York City, but hasactually transcended material reality and only takes up a human shell forspecial occasions, like brunch and to watch anime (which is banned on theastral plane). He is the author of “Reverie” and “Be Dazzled.” Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ryanlasala.com__;!!PhOWcWs!kwNCv94l7FvGpmFGPCtn4X6Kjc7VKAf1Eea6sowh4KI8Bn5Q7qEpQzhLak8JLXhMHOJ-ng$ .

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