Andi Lodge, a native of Santa Rosa County, recently hosted a book signing at the Historic Bagdad Village Museum. “The support was wonderful, with over 35 people in attendance,” she said.
Local author Andi Lodge will be among 50 other authors signing books at Books By the Bay, a new outdoor book festival in Pensacola. Sponsored by nonprofit Emerald Coast Writers, the daylong event will feature bestselling, international, national, and regional authors.
Lodge, known for her captivating novels “Missing on the Gulf Coast” and “Escape on the Gulf Coast”, as she graces the authors’ tent at the Books by the Bay event.
Other featured guests include:
- Author-Illustrator John Patrick Green of the InvestiGators;
- Young adult author Ginny Myers Sain of Dark and Shallow Lies;
- Historical novelist Paula Lenor Webb of Such a Woman;
- Asia Samson, the highest booked college poetry act in the market.
- Plus, 21 notable authors will give presentations and readings throughout the day.
“I am ecstatic and appreciative of the enthusiasm we’ve received from the literary community,” says Tonya Dalhaus, the festival’s event manager. “The number and caliber of authors that have asked to participate in this first-time event says volumes about the need for such a festival in Pensacola.”
Additionally, the family-friendly festival will include industry speakers, literary exhibitors, booksellers, stage performances, poetry and children’s book readings, and costumed characters. Attendees will also have the opportunity to try their own hand at writing poetry as part of a photo prompt activity using photos from Pensacola’s Wide Angle Photography Club. Other interactive activities include literary walks around downtown Pensacola, a children’s scavenger hunt, and a Haiku Slam.
The free festival will take place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Saturday, March 23 at Museum Plaza, located at 120 Church Street in historic downtown Pensacola. The event is funded, in part, through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The event focuses on literary appreciation and will feature a wide range of genres from children’s books to memoirs, romance to mysteries, fantasy to Southern gothic, nonfiction to historical fiction, poetry, and graphic novels. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with local, national, and international authors and literary experts.
Professional exhibitor booths, vendor and author tents spaces, and seats in the author-signing tent are still available. The organization is also seeking volunteers for the day of the event.
For information about volunteering, acquiring space or participating as an author or literary professional, contact Dalhaus via booksbythebayfest@gmail.com or 850-270-8806 or visit the website emeraldcoastwritersinc.org.
