Inaugural Off the Page Literary Celebration to Feature Bestselling Authors
For more information, email [email protected] or call 941-861-NEWS.
SARASOTA COUNTY –Off the Page literary celebration launches November 1, featuring best-selling authors Neil Gaiman, Sarah MacLean and Raina Telgemeier. The event, hosted by Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources, will include local authors, writing workshops, book signings, panels and more, with every county library branch participating.
“Our goal in creating this event is to highlight literature and writing within Sarasota’s world-class art scene,” said Sarasota County Libraries Director Renée Di Pilato. “We want residents to connect through discovery and discussion related to all things literature, whether it’s through authors, books, scripts, plays or any literary topic they’d like to explore.”
The event will feature the following authors:
- Historical romance novelist Sarah MacLean kicks off the celebration at Selby Library at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. The New York Times, Washington Post and USA Today bestselling author is a leading advocate for the romance genre. She is a columnist for the New York Times, the Washington Post and Bustle. Entertainment Weekly calls her “the elegantly fuming, utterly intoxicating queen of historical romance.”
- Neil Gaiman headlines the event with an author talk at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, at Venice Performing Arts Center. Gaiman is the author of “The Sandman” comic series now on Netflix, “Good Omens,” (written with Terry Pratchett) adapted into a series on Amazon, and “The Ocean at the End of the Lane.” He is the recipient of multiple awards including the Eisner, Bram Stoker, Hugo, Nebula, and Locus awards. His book “American Gods” was described by the New York Public Library as one of the “125 most important books of the last 125 years”. Gaiman’s books for children include “Coraline,” “The Graveyard Book,” “Fortunately the Milk” and more.
- Author/illustrator Raina Telgemeier speaks during a special Veterans Day event at Shannon Staub Library at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Her graphic novels “Smile,” “Sisters,” “Ghosts,” and “Guts” all hit number one on the New York Times bestseller list. Her accolades include six Eisner Awards, in addition to Boston Globe-Horn Book and Stonewall Honors.
Off the Page Literary Celebration is FREE to all Sarasota County residents. For updates, visit scgov.net/library or call 941-861-1110.
Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources is a system of 10 community branches, a history center and a mobile pop-up library that provides residents opportunities for lifelong learning, vibrant culture and enriching activities appropriate for all ages. The 2023 Off the Page Literary Celebration is made possible through contributions from The Friends of the William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Public Library, the William H. Jervey Jr. Endowment Fund, and the John Jakes Fund, and with lead partner organizations, Hermitage Artist Retreat and Ringling College of Art and Design.
Suggested Social Media Post:
Calling all readers, writers, poets, playwrights and literature enthusiasts! Mark your calendars for #OffThePage Literature Celebration featuring bestselling authors @neilgaiman, @sarahmacclean, and @rainatelgemiercomics! This inaugural event, hosted by Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources, will include local authors, writing workshops, book signings, panels and more with EVERY county library branch participating! #SRQCountyLibraries
