Get Lit, Tampa Bay: Book Events, Sept. 19-25

Each week, Wordier Than Thou will compile literary events from the greater Tampa Bay area. Send your event to wordierthanthou@gmail.com.

Tuesday, Sept. 20

Author Event: Simon Winchester, 2 to 3 p.m., virtual event. This conversation with prolific British-American writer, journalist, and consummate adventurer Simon Winchester is presented by the city of Dunedin.

Holistic Tarot: Reading the Cards for Personal Growth with Lorraine Monteagut, 7 to 8 p.m., at Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg. Lorraine Monteagut, author of “Brujas: The Magic and Power of Witches of Color,” will lead a tarot workshop that focuses on the holistic approach to readings.

Wednesday, Sept. 21

The Journey of Painting, Writing and Publishing, 4 to 5 p.m., at Clearwater Library’s beach branch, 69 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater Beach. Author Linda Hansen will discuss her children’s book, “Otto the Otter: A Big Surprise,” and her creative process.

Community Conversations with the African American Heritage Association, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Tombolo Books, St. Petersburg.

Thursday, Sept. 22

Poetry & Tarot, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Bookstore1Sarasota, 821 Apricot Ave., Sarasota. Featuring readings by authors Avni Vyas and Emily Carr, as well as a discussion with illustrator Mimi Cirbusova.

Author Event: Lisa Unger, 6:30 to 8 p.m., virtual event. Local author and New York Times-bestseller is featured in this event presented by East Lake Community Library.

Saturday, Sept. 24

Celebrate Freedom, 10 to 11 a.m., Bookstore1Sarasota, 821 Apricot Ave., Sarasota. Every Saturday morning through Nov. 5 one of Sarasota’s community leaders will read one of their favorite children’s books that celebrates diversity and inclusion.

September Books and Brunch: Black Mental Health, 11 a.m., at 4301 13th Ave. S. This event, a collaboration between the Bay Area Dream Defenders and The Well for Life, offers free food, free books and a discussion on mental health in the Black community.

Author Event: Carol Van Den Hende, 11 a.m., at Barnes & Noble, 2501 Tyrone Blvd., St. Petersburg. Carol Van Den Hende is the author of the romance book, “Orchid Blooming.”

Haunted Florida Love Stories, noon to 1:30 p.m., at East Lake Community Library, 4125 E. Lake Road. S., Palm Harbor. Author and folklorist Christopher Balzano will share the urban legends and ghostly lore of Sunshine State love affairs.

Eerie Florida: Myths, Monsters, Legends and Dark History of the Sunshine State, 1 to 2 p.m., at Clearwater Library main branch, 100 N. Osceola Ave., Clearwater. Best-selling author Mark Munch of the “Eerie Florida” book series will take you on a virtual tour to the dark side of the Sunshine State.

Author Event: Laura Zimmerman, 2 to 3 p.m., at South Community Library, 2300 Roy Hanna Drive S., St. Petersburg. Children’s book author Laura Zimmermann will discuss her latest book, “Mushroom Rain.”

Author Event: Nicholas Sparks, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at The Don CeSar, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. Nicholas Sparks will discuss and sign his new book, “Dreamland,” which features The Don CeSar.

Sunday, Sept. 25

Carnivorous Plant Sale and Book Signing, noon to 2 p.m., at Mojo Books & Records, 2540 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. Author and carnivorous plant nurseryman Kenny Coogan will share the murderous qualities of these wicked plants.

Author Event: RJ Jacobs, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., at Oxford Exchange, 420 Kennedy Blvd., Tamp. RJ Jacobs will discuss his new novel, “Always the First to Die.”

Get Lit, Tampa Bay: Book Events, Sept. 12-18

Each week, Wordier Than Thou will compile literary events from the greater Tampa Bay area. Send your event to wordierthanthou@gmail.com.

Monday, Sept. 12

Poets Live!, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Drive, Largo. This virtual meeting takes place on the second Monday of every month.

Tuesday, Sept. 13

Book Launch: “Aces Wild” by Amanda DeWitt, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Kiki’s Kreamery, 323 Main Street, Safety Harbor. This book launch party is presented by Portkey Books. Books are available to purchase here.

Tombolo Books and Chelsea Catherine Present: Pride Writers Panel, 7 to 8 p.m., at Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg. The panel featuring LGBTQIA+ writers, moderated by Silk Jazmyne Hindus, will include Sheree L. Greer, Tenea D. Johnson and Maria Ingrande Mora.

Poetry Open Mic, Drinks & Chill, 7:30 p.m., Hot Wax Coffee Shop, 1522 E. 7th Ave., Tampa. Tampa Bay poets share their art over some coffee drinks, kava, kratom, teas, or alcoholic beverages. 

Blah Blah Blah Literary Open Mic, 8 to 9:30 p.m., at Studio@620, 620 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Bring prose to read or a true story to tell. The evening begins with a presentation by featured writer Deb Carson, author of “Becoming Flo; A Mostly True Story.”

Wednesday, Sept. 14

Fiction Writers Critique Group, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tarpon Springs Public Library, 138 E. Lemon Street, Tarpon Springs. Bring a section of a novel or short story to share during this critique group.

“I’m with the Banned” Celebration with the St. Petersburg Sax Quartet, 7 p.m., 365 73rd Ave., St. Pete Beach. Enjoy the sounds of the St. Petersburg Sax Quartet and celebrate the freedom to read with refreshments and a banned book prize drawing. This is an outdoor event; bring a lawn chair.

Thursday, Sept. 15

Banned Books are a Drag (and Burlesque) Show, 8 p.m., Studio@620, 620 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg. Drag and burlesque performers throughout the Tampa Bay area will interpret some of the most beloved banned books in the world, including literary classics and children's favorites. Funds benefit Wordier Than Thou’s literary arts programming. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

Saturday, Sept. 17

Banned Books Readings, 10 to 11 a.m., The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime, 821 Apricot Ave., Sarasota. Listen to community leaders read from books that have currently been or are going to be banned.

Author Talk & Signing with Craig Pittman, 2 to 3 p.m., Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. For more than 30 years, investigative journalist and New York Times-bestselling author, Craig Pittman has chronicled the wildest stories Florida has to offer. With his folksy style, an eye for the absurd, and a passion for the history and environment of his home state, he highlights just how strange and wonderful Florida can be. He’ll speak about his work and his books will be available to purchase.

Poetry of Robert Burns, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Russian American Club, 2920 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. This first meeting of the Scottish Cultural Society of St. Petersburg. Bill Parsons, professor emeritus from Eckerd College, will discuss the poetry of Robert Burns.

Sunday, Sept. 18

“The Flo Show” Book Presentation at the Tampa Jewish Arts & Culture Minifest, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Bryan Glazer Family JCC, 522 N. Howard Ave., Tampa. Deb Carson, author of “Becoming Flo; A Mostly True Story,” will present at this event.

Author Panel on Women in Historical Fiction, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., at Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Authors Vanessa Riley, Piper Huguley and Denny S. Bryce will discuss capturing powerful women in today’s historical fiction. Cost is $5.

Get Lit, Tampa Bay: Book Events, Sept. 5-11

Each week, Wordier Than Thou will compile literary events from the greater Tampa Bay area. Send your event to wordierthanthou@gmail.com.

Tuesday, Sept. 6

Armature Works Book Club, 6:30 p.m., at Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa. Presented in partnership with Oxford Exchange. This month’s book is “Such a Fun Age” by Kiley Reid. Tickets are $28 and include light bites by vendors within the Heights Public Market and wine provided by Bar AW. RSVP here.

Rob Sanders Book Launch Party, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Coastal Creative, 2201 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg. Author Rob Sanders launches his two latest books, “Blood Brothers” and “Stitch by Stitch: Cleve Jones and the AIDS Memorial Quilt.” This event is co-hosted by Tombolo Books. RSVP here.

Wednesday, Sept. 7

Creative Encounters: A Poetry Writing Workshop, 4 to 6 p.m., at Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. Starting Sept. 7, this poetry-writing workshop meets Wednesdays in September and October. Doug Knowlton is the facilitator. Cost is $40. Sign up here.

September Book Club Meeting, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at The Factory St. Pete, 2622 Fairfield Ave. S., St. Petersburg. This month’s book is “Olga Dies Dreaming: A Novel” by Xochitl Gonzalez.” This event, presented by Keep St. Pete Lit, will take place in the Library. Admission is $5.

Poetry at the Dali, 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. This is an online event hosted by St. Petersburg’s poet laureate, Helen Pruitt Wallace. It will feature readings by Wallace and select poets, as well as a Q&A. Stream their readings at the Dali Museum’s YouTube channel.

Thursday, Sept. 8

Rushdie Roundtable Reading, 11 a.m. to noon, at Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. In the wake of the attack on Salman Rushdie, bring your favorite work by the author to share and listen to others read, as well. RSVP here.

Virtual Author Talk, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dr. Michele Borba presents “Raising Thrivers: Parenting tips and tools to help kids thrive in an uncertain world.” This online event is presented by the Dunedin Public Library.

Ales & Tales Book Club, 6 to 8 p.m., at Stilt House Brewery, 625 Alt. 19, Palm Harbor. Palm Harbor Library staff hosts a monthly evening book club. This month’s book is “My Heart Is a Chainsaw” by Stephen Graham Jones.

Saturday, Sept. 10

Pinellas Fiction Writers Group, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Seminole Community Library, 9200 113th Street N., Seminole. For fiction writers 18 and older. This group gives and receives feedback on works in progress.

“A History of Toilet Paper”: Storytime with Sophia Gholz, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., at Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg. Sophia Gholz, the Florida children's book author of “Bug on the Rug,” “The Boy Who Grew a Forest” and more, brings us the wacky story of one of our most used household items. “A History of Toilet Paper (And Other Potty Tools)” puts a humorous spin on the fun and fascinating facts surrounding the sometimes shocking history of human potty practices. This event, which includes a craft, is great for children 4 and older. RSVP here.

The Queer Comic Book Club, noon to 2 p.m., at the LGBTQ Welcome Center, 2235 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. This month’s book is “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe. Presented by Tombolo Books and Metro’s Inclusivitea. RSVP here.

Speak Poetry Series and Open Mic, 7:30 to 9 p.m., at The Factory St. Pete, 2622 Fairfield Ave. S., St. Petersburg. Produced by Keep St. Pete Lit, this event is part of the Second Saturday ArtWalk. Anthony Patterson is the featured storyteller. $5 suggested donation.