Monday, September 30, 2013

A great opportunity thanks to Kathy Nixon

From: Layne, Alison   email

Alison.Layne@CharlotteFL.com

Date: 9/27/2013 3:11:00 PM
Subject: Meet the Author @your library

A place at my table has opened up again on Tuesday mornings at 10am at the

Punta Gorda Library!

This table will allow authors like yourself to promote your books, sell
your books, and meet the public was started April 2013.  Since then, we had
18 author sessions and interacted with 283 patrons.

What would a library be without authors?  I feel that this opportunity to

Meet the Author on Tuesday mornings has proven to be a successful way to
promote local talent.  You will be able to engage patrons as they enter and
exit the building since you will be right at the front door.

This will be an open table in the library that you will need to reserve (as
many times as you would like) from October 1-March 25.  You can have the
table until 1pm and I will provide information to the local paper to
advertise your appearance in the Community News section.

I look forward to hearing from all of you soon.  If there is anyone that
this email has not reached, please feel free to share as I do not know all
of the authors in the area.

Thank you,

Alison Layne, Librarian Supervisor -- Punta Gorda Public Library
Libraries and History Division
Charlotte County Community Services Department
941.833.5459 www.CharlotteCountyFL.com
"To Exceed Expectations in the Delivery of Public Service"

Friday, September 27, 2013

Write-On-Englewood Contest Rules - Dearborn Street Book Festival

“WRITE-ON-ENGLEWOOD” CONTEST
          Short Story &Poetry Competition

  * Official  Instructions*

We are proud to announce our 5th annual Dearborn Street     Book Festival  and Writers Competition

*Short stories must be at least 500 words, no more than  800 words in length. We ask for unpublished work.
Poetry must be at least 50 words, no more than 250 words in length of unpublished work.

*Handwritten copies will  not be accepted.

*You may  submit as many entries as you like.

*We request three printed copies of each entry, each with a cover  page with your name, address, phone and e-mail.

*Entry fee is $5. per entry, checks only, payable to:

        “FRIENDS OF THE ELSIE QUIRK LIBRARY”

*Prizes are: 1st Place-$75., 2- Place-$50., 3-Place $25.

Judges are professional writers.

*Send entries to: CONTEST, 11 Pebble Beach Rd.,  Rotonda West, Fla., 33947 postmarked by January 15, 2014

*Winners will be announced at the Book Festival, Sat. Feb. 15, in Pioneer Park on W. Dearborn St. in Englewood. You do not have to be present to win.

   FOR MORE INFORMATION E-MAIL DIANA HARRIS   <diharris@comcast .net>

News-Dearborn Street Book Festival

Englewood’s fifth annual Dearborn Street Book Festival will be held
10a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 15, 2014 in Pioneer Park on W. Dearborn Street.

Entry fee will be $25 for authors who want to sell their books. The
Book Festival continues to grow and attracted more than 65 authors
last year, who were not just local authors but writers from all over
Florida. It was attended by several hundred people.

Many children’s writers will be present this year and children
programs will be presented. There will be music by
“Sax-on-the-Beach” and a coffee and food tent sponsored by Cafe Serenity.

The Book Festival will also be sponsoring the “Write-On-Englewood” Short Story and Poetry Competition which will be judged by professional writers. Winners will be awarded cash prizes.

Submissions of unpublished work are requested.
The Book Festival is sponsored by Englewood’s two libraries,
Englewood Charlotte and Elsie Quirk.
If you would like to be put on the Book Festival’s mailing list for
more information please send your e-mail or address to Diana Harris
at diharris@comcast.net or “Festival”, 1760 Parker Drive, Englewood, Fla. 34223.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Matlacha Authors Days - From Kathy Nixon


Matlacha Authors Days

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is it?

A. Matlacha Authors Days is a literary event that gives authors to increase their reader base and strengthen their platform by providing them the opportunity to speak to an audience in an “auditorium” setting. Authors will present information about their books, their writing, and their knowledge of their subjects in large tents provided for this purpose. Matlacha Authors days will be heavily promoted on local TV and other media. (Seventy TV spots on both NBC and ABC affiliates which reach viewers in seven counties and more than a half-million households.)

Q. Where is it?

A. Matlacha/Pine Island Florida – Matlacha is close to Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Punta Gorda, and Sanibel Island and in the vicinity of Sarasota, Venice, Port Charlotte, Bonita Springs, Naples and Marco Island. The site for the event is Matlacha Park part of the Lee County park system.

Q. When is it?

A. November 30th & December 1st, 2013 starting at 9 AM and lasting until 5 PM.

Q. Who is eligible?

A. All published authors who agree to the following entrance rules. 1) All books must be “perfect bound” paperback or be hard covered with exceptions for the following…cook books, children’s board books, craft instruction books, and wildlife identification books. Exceptions must be applied for. 2) Books published by micro publishers (less than three authors) or self-published books are welcome but will be required to pass a CRAFT edit. Any book with numerous grammatical, typographical, and production errors will be declined. Content will not be edited.

Q. Where and when do I submit a book for edit? 

A. All books requiring edit must be submitted and sent to the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, 4120 Pine Island Road, Matlacha, FL  33993 no later than 10/10/2013. There is no charge for the edit. Any author whose entered books all fail edit will have their entrance fee refunded minus a $20 handling fee.

Q. What are the deadlines?

A. For sign up to participate ………………………. 10/10/2013

Since participation is limited to 100 authors it is recommended you sign up as soon as possible if you wish to be part of the event.

     For submitting a book for edit …………………. 10/10/2013

     For submitting your book cover, picture,

     and eight word headline for the TV ad ...………. 10/15/2013

     Group Tent Requests ……………………………  9/20/2013

 

Q. Is this an indoor or outdoor event?
A. Outdoor

Q. Are tents or shelters provided?
A. No.  A 10’x10’ space is provided for each individual. You may provide a tent or shelter or you may share a tent with another author(s).

Q. Are larger tents okay?
A. Tents larger than 10’x10’ require a permit. Sorry, that’s a Lee County ordinance. If you have a tent larger than 10’x10’ you must let the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce know NO LATER THAN 9/20/2013. There will be a small fee for the permit depending on the size.

Q. Can a group arrange for a large tent and share the costs?
A. Yes.  An organization or a group of individuals can rent a tent or bring a tent BUT we must know no later than 9/20/2013 to arrange for permits. If you want to rent a tent (includes setup and teardown) the Pine Island Chamber can help you. Contact Jennifer.  (239-283-0888)

Q What do I need to provide?
A. A table(s), table covering(s), chair(s), handouts, signage, and (of course) your books. If you are sharing tent space it is up to you and your partners to determine use of your 10”x10” area.

Q. Is electric available”
A. None for individual booths. Electric will be available in the presentation tents.

Q. What are the presentation sites?
A. There will be two sites. A 30’x 30’ tent with seating for 120 people will be provided for use by authors presenting information for fiction and non-fiction work. A 20’x20’ tent with seating for 30 people will be provided with half the space reserved for “blanket seating” for children and standing room for exhibition cooking, crafts, etc. for children’s authors, cookbook presentations, etc.

Q. Can I sell anything besides books?
A. Authors can sell their art or craft items if it is allied to their books. Absolutely NO food items may be sold because of county rules.  A limited number of vendor booths are available through the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce. Contact Jennifer for availability and participation rules.

Q. Am I protected from unruly authors or attendees?
A. Yes. Any author interfering with the actions of other participating authors or attendees that behave in a disruptive manner will be required to leave.

Q. Will authors sharing space in a tent be required to pay the participation fee?
A. Absolutely – Charges are per author not by space.

Q. Are all authors REQUIRED to speak and make a presentation?
A. No. However, they will miss a colossal opportunity to increase their base of readers and PR platform.

Q. Will all authors be in the TV ads?
A. Yes, if they submit the information (one book cover, picture of the author, and an eight word headline) before the time deadline.

Q. Will there be any TV coverage at the event?
A. Yes. The two TV stations will have feature reporters on site to record footage for their news programs.

Q. Is other promotion planned?
A. Yes. A complete PR saturation program will used to enlist talk radio, newspapers, local magazines and if finances allow, spots on the other two TV channels.

Q. May we setup late or teardown early?
A. No. In this type of event where individuals are speaking those activities are unfair and disruptive to those speaking.  Put yourself in their position.

Q. Is the public charged admission?
A. Yes – The donation of one can good item (or one dollar to buy a can) admits a whole family. All donations go to local food pantries. Other activities (dunk tank, etc.) are planned to raise donations for the wounded warrior fund.

This FAQ will be posted on DL Havlin’s blog site at    www.dlhavlin.wordpress.com 
Check this site for updates and news starting 9/10/2013.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Dearborn 5th Annual Book Festival

Englewood’s fifth annual Dearborn Street Book Festival will be held 10a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 15, 2014 in Pioneer Park on W. Dearborn Street.

Entry fee will be $25 for authors who want to sell their books. The Book Festival  continues to grow and attracted more than 65 authors last year, who were not just local authors but writers from all over Florida. It was attended by several hundred people.

Many children’s writers will be present this year and children programs will be presented.  There  will be music by “Sax-on-the-Beach” and a coffee and food tent sponsored by Cafe Serenity. 

The Book Festival will also be sponsoring the “Write- On-Englewood” Short Story and Poetry Competition which will be judged by professional writers. Winners will be awarded cash prizes. Submissions of unpublished work are requested. 

The Book Festival  is sponsored by Englewood’s two libraries, Englewood Charlotte and Elsie Quirk.

If you would like to be put on the Book Festival’s mailing list for more information please send your e-mail or address to Diana Harris at <diharris@comcast.net> or “Festival”, 1760 Parker Drive, Englewood, Fla. 34223.