Special thanks to our sponsors:
The inaugural Florida Bookstore Day will be a day-long event celebrating independent and used bookstores, local authors and small presses in various cities throughout the Sunshine State. The concept is mirrored after the popular Record Store Day, which promotes indie music shops across the globe.
We’re organizing events at several independently-owned stores throughout Florida.
Promotional poster by Scott Bradley
Events can vary from store to store and will include:
• Readings by local authors
• Local authors’ fair
• Book signings
• Book releases
• Panels
• Open mics
• Workshops
A limited edition poster series based on famous Florida novels will be released Nov. 15, and sold in bookstores and online.
If you're a bookstore owner, an author or an supporter of Florida literature who would like to get involved, email us at WordierThanThou@gmail.com.
PARTICIPATING BOOKSTORES
Big Pine Key
Key Deer Bookstore & Gift Shop
Bradenton
Village Voices and
Eclectic Art Emporium
Event: Multiple local authors reading, discussing and signing their books, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Florida Writers Association critique group, 4 p.m.
Coral Gables
Books & Books
Event: Meet Tate Publishing & Enterprises authors Mayra Ron and N.C.C. McGowan, 2 p.m.
Davie
Second Edition Book Shop
Event: Prizes and giveaways throughout the day; gift card sale - extra $5 for each one purchased
Daytona Beach
Abraxas Books
Event: Book sale
Deland
The Muse Book Shop
Event: Meet Gary Monroe, author of “Mary Anne Carroll, First Lady of the Highwaymen,” 1 p.m.
Delray Beach
Murder on the Beach
Dunedin
Back in the Day Books
Event: Indoor sidewalk sale and 20% off antiquarian and used books
Flagler Beach
Change Jar Books
Fort Myers
Cypress Paperback Bookstore
Fort Lauderdale
Bluewater Books and Charts
Finding Forrester's Books
Event: Book sale - 10% off all books
Gainesville
Wild Iris Books
Event: Kids Herb Fest; book sales ($2 books, fill-a-bag deals, BOGO kids books and more); Free Store (clothing, make-up and other treasures collected for the queer community in need)
Broken Shelves Books & Art
Book Gallery West
Gulfport
The Book Booth
Event: Author signing with Joanna Michaels, 12 to 4 p.m.; poetry open mic
Islamorada
Hooked on Books
Event: Book signing and reading with Mayor Gonzo Mays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Jacksonville
San Marco Bookstore
Largo
Book Bank
Event: Signings by local authors, including Robin Savage and Peter Salomon
Odessa
Itz Books
Orlando
Bookmark It
Event: Children’s author/illustrator Ethan Long, 10 to 11 a.m.; Geoff and Janet Benge, co-authors of 68 biographies, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.; young adult author Jessica Martinez, 12 to 1 p.m.; David James Poissant, author of “The Heaven of Animals,” 1 to 2 p.m.; Lynn Waddell, author of “Fringe Florida,” 2 to 3 p.m.; poet J. Bradley, 3:30 to 4 p.m. Workshops include: destination journaling, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; NaNoWriMo: Keeping the Momentum, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.; and Crafting the Character Arc, 3 to 5 p.m.
Park Avenue CDs
Event: Book sale - 10% off; receive an additional 5% off when you bring in a receipt from another indie bookstore
Pensacola
Hawsey’s Book Index
Event: Book sale, refreshments
Punta Gorda
Copperfish Books
Event: Children's book authors read their work; ice cream party
Sandman Book Co.
Event: Florida Book Club with Diane Gilbert Madsen, 1 p.m.; Children's Hour with Carole Stevens Bibisi, 11 a.m.; daylong gathering of local authors, poets and artists
Sanford
Maya Books and Music
Event: Book sale - 20% off all books
Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island Bookshop
Event: Showcase of books signed by local authors
Santa Rosa Beach
Sundog Books
Event: Book signings with Susan Vallee and Sam Staley
Sarasota
Bookstore 1
Event: All-ages literary party and kick-off event for a 24-hour read-a-thon to raise money to build a school in Haiti, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; prizes for best costumes based on literary characters
Brant’s Books
Event: Warehouse cleaning book sale – most books priced at $1, $3 and $5
Parker’s Books and Book Bazaar
Event: Artisans of Books for Children and Adults book signings, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; contest to benefit the Literacy Council of Sarasota
St. Petersburg
Wilson’s Book World
Event: Readings by local authors from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Haslam’s Book Store
Event: Book sale - 10% all used books, including antiques and collectibles; free coffee mug with every purchase over $100
Wings Bookstore
Event: Book sale - 10% off; free tastings of Mother Kombucha
Lighthouse Books
Event: Annual sidewalk sale
Books at Park Place
Event: Psychic, 1 to 6 p.m.
Tampa
Inkwood Books
Event: Children's story time, 10:30 a.m.; Andy Plattner, book signing, 2 to 4 p.m.; Happy Hour with Jeff Klinkenberg, 5:30 p.m., with food and a special Florida cocktail
Mojo Books and Records
Event: Live readings by local musicians/writers, 12 p.m.
Oxford Exchange
Event: Anna Bond book signing, 3 to 5 p.m.
Old Tampa Book Company
Event: Open mic night, 7 to 10 p.m.; kick-off of the annual, weeklong 50% off holiday sale
Book Swap of Carrollwood
Event: Meet Tim Dorsey, 2:30 p.m.; Ellen Giallonardo, trustee for the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Society, 1 p.m.
Titusville
The Book Rack of Titusville
Event: Multi-author book signing with David Miller, DiVoran Lites, Lee Boylan, Dr. Mark “Tiger” Edmonds and Rebekah Lyn, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; contests, in-store specials and giveaways
Vero Beach
Vero Beach Book Center
Event: Florida-themed Story Hour with Miss Julie, 11 a.m.; local author panel, 1 p.m.; NaNoWriMo write-in, 3 to 5 p.m.
Winter Park
Writer’s Block Bookstore
Event: Winter Park restaurants will show off their own cookbooks as well as their favorite recipes
Brandywine Books
Event: Book sale - 20% off
Don't see your favorite local bookstore?
Email us at WordierThanThou@gmail.com with the details, and we'll ask them to join the festivities!