FOREWORD & WRITERS FESTIVAL
$20 per person
Covers Thursday's Kick-Off Reception and Friday’s full day of panels at the Venice Public Library.
Thursday, March 11, 2027, 5:30–8:00 PM
“The Foreword” at The Island Bookshop
sponsored and moderated by Michael Rank and Aimee Odette
Join us for a wine-and-cheese reception to start the weekend at The Island Bookshop as three local romance and thriller authors kick off the literary weekend with a discussion of their genres, why they chose those genres, and how it speaks to them and their readers; moderated by The Island Bookshop’s Michael Rank.
“Table of Contents” - Enjoy lively discussions and great speakers during this day of social learning at the library!
BELOW IS OUR 2027 FRIDAY WRITERS FESTIVAL SPEAKER LINE-UP!
Our special panels will take place in the Gulf Coast Community Foundation Community Room, William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Public Library
10:15 to 11:15 AM
Self-Publish? Hybrid? Traditional?: Which One is Right for My Work?
Collaborative writer and coach Karen Kelly, Little Satchmo: Living in the Shadow of my Father, Louis Daniel Armstrong author Sharon Preston-Folta, Forgotten Florida author Clarissa Thomasson, What Goes Around author Michael Wendroff, Gondolier Sun Features freelance writer Kim Cool offer perspectives on ways to publish; moderated by The Literary Spa’s Camille Cline. Followed by a 15 minute book signing.
11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Keynote Speaker - Joanne Rock
USA Today bestselling author of The Last Book Club, Joanne Rock of the local Florida Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime will speak on her writing journey from idea to bestseller lists, how to adjust to changes in the publishing industry, and current trends in book publishing. Followed by a 15 minute book signing.
12:45 to 1:45 PM
Intellectual Property and the Impact of AI in Publishing Today
An IP attorney discusses intellectual property, how to protect your work and your art, and the merits and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in today’s changing publishing landscape. Michael Rank and Camille Cline will moderate (if moderator needed).
2:00 to 3:00 PM
Writing and Illustrating Books for Young People
Kinzie’s Kinventions series and the Claw & Order Fairy Goose Unit detective series author Donna Boock, When I Grow Up author Kelly Duyn, and This Gift: The Story of Abbas Karimi author Anita Mitchell discuss children’s and young adult book publishing, from idea to writing and from illustrating to publishing. Followed by a 15 minute book signing.
3:15 to 4:30 PM
Rewrite, Rewrite, and Rewrite: How to Polish Your Story
South Beach Shakedown bestselling author Don Bruns talks about making your story measurably more compelling, exciting, your characters more complex, the chemistry more intriguing every time you rewrite. And how rewarding the results will be. Followed by a 15 minute book signing.