Panels & Author Talks
Opening Keynote Address
Hearts, Heat, and Happily-Ever-Afters
Coming of Age on the Page
10 AM — Cultural Center Theater
New York Times bestselling author Kristin Harmel kicks off the festival with a lively presentation on her writing career, including her latest bestseller, The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau, and about what the past can teach us about our lives today, plus news about her upcoming release, Meet Me in Paris, and more.
Coming of Age on the Page
Hearts, Heat, and Happily-Ever-Afters
Coming of Age on the Page
11 AM — Cultural Center Theater
Young Adult fiction continues to captivate readers of all ages with stories that explore identity, belonging, love, and resilience during life’s most transformative moments. In this panel, bestselling authors discuss what it means to write for and about young people today.
Hearts, Heat, and Happily-Ever-Afters
Hearts, Heat, and Happily-Ever-Afters
Three Ringling Circus: A History of Sarasota, Florida, and the Famous Ringling Brothers
12 PM — Cultural Center Theater
Step into the world of contemporary romance with bestselling authors who know how to make readers swoon, sigh, and believe in happily-ever-afters. From crafting irresistible chemistry to exploring the emotional depth of love stories, this panel dives into what makes romance one of the most beloved and empowering genres in fiction today.
Three Ringling Circus: A History of Sarasota, Florida, and the Famous Ringling Brothers
Three Ringling Circus: A History of Sarasota, Florida, and the Famous Ringling Brothers
Three Ringling Circus: A History of Sarasota, Florida, and the Famous Ringling Brothers
12 PM — Train Depot Museum
Sarasota would not be what it is today without the influence of the Ringling family. Unlike some rivals of the era, the Ringling family saw their enterprise as a business and as a way of entertaining the masses through good, clean fun. Join author Sandra Gurvis as she dives into the story of this family and brin
12 PM — Train Depot Museum
Sarasota would not be what it is today without the influence of the Ringling family. Unlike some rivals of the era, the Ringling family saw their enterprise as a business and as a way of entertaining the masses through good, clean fun. Join author Sandra Gurvis as she dives into the story of this family and brings to life (and light) their past and present impact on Sarasota’s unique artistic, historical, and cultural scene, a rarity in a state where much of the economy is driven by tourism and the retirement industry.
BookTok Made Me Buy It
Three Ringling Circus: A History of Sarasota, Florida, and the Famous Ringling Brothers
A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure: One Author's Journey Through Florida
1 PM — Cultural Center Theater
Explore the powerful influence of social media on what we read—and why we can’t stop clicking “add to cart.” Join bestselling authors as they discuss how social media book trends are born, how viral moments have shaped their careers, and what it means to write in an age where a single 30-second video can change a book’s fate.
A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure: One Author's Journey Through Florida
Three Ringling Circus: A History of Sarasota, Florida, and the Famous Ringling Brothers
A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure: One Author's Journey Through Florida
1 PM — Train Depot Museum
Join Joshua Ginsberg, author of Oldest Tampa Bay, Secret Tampa Bay, and Secret Orlando, on a deep dive through Florida in search of hidden history, strange monuments, museums, oddities, and the very best Cuban sandwich. Whether it’s an abandoned island fort from the Spanish-American War, a dolphin famous for its
1 PM — Train Depot Museum
Join Joshua Ginsberg, author of Oldest Tampa Bay, Secret Tampa Bay, and Secret Orlando, on a deep dive through Florida in search of hidden history, strange monuments, museums, oddities, and the very best Cuban sandwich. Whether it’s an abandoned island fort from the Spanish-American War, a dolphin famous for its prosthetic tail, or a town of circus sideshow performers, whatever natural or unnatural wonder you’re seeking, you're sure to find it in the Sunshine State.
Workshops
Substack for Writers Workshop: Turning Your Writing into a Platform and Community
2 PM — Cultural Center Theater
The creative industries are always evolving and we're learning that consumers click-to-buy when they feel connected. To connect with readers of your book, you need to build community. Learn how to use Substack to grow your audience and build your writing platform! Bring your smart device for a hands-on works
2 PM — Cultural Center Theater
The creative industries are always evolving and we're learning that consumers click-to-buy when they feel connected. To connect with readers of your book, you need to build community. Learn how to use Substack to grow your audience and build your writing platform! Bring your smart device for a hands-on workshop with Bianca Ducasse, a publishing professional with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers and the current associate director of marketing at Pantheon and Doubleday Books.