A Daylong Celebration of Books
The Orlando Book Festival is a day-long celebration of books at the Orlando Public Library. Join us for panels and talks from bestselling authors from all over the state, including a keynote from New York Times bestselling author Tim Dorsey.
This event is free and open to the public.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 10:30 AM | Panel: Writing for Kids & Teens |
| 12:00 PM | Panel: Tension & Twists |
| 1:30 PM | Panel: We Need to Talk About Florida |
| 3:00 PM | Closing Keynote: Tim Dorsey |
Each panel will be followed by a 30-minute signing featuring the authors on the panel.
Panel descriptions can be found at the bottom of this page.
Featured Authors
Tim Dorsey was a reporter and editor for the Tampa Tribune from 1987 to 1999 and is the author of the popular Serge Storms series. He lives in Tampa, Florida.
Christopher Balzano is a writer, folklorist, and host of the podcast Tripping on Legends. His work combines storytelling and history to tell the complete tale of local legends throughout Florida.
Jon Busdeker is a former news reporter who now works at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office as the agency’s first storyteller. Busdeker co-hosts Bungalower and The Bus on Real Radio 104.1 FM.
Trish Doller is the author of Float Plan and The Suite Spot, and several YA novels. Trish loves sailing, camping, and avoiding housework. She lives in southwest Florida with an opinionated herding dog and an ex-pirate.
Elle Ire writes sci-fi and paranormal romance featuring kickass women who fall in love with each other. Publications include the Storm Fronts trilogy, Reel to Real Love, and the Nearly Departed series.
Maria Ingrande Mora is a UX writer by day. Her love languages are snacks, queer joy, and live music. Maria lives near a wetlands preserve with two cats, two teens, and two billion mosquitoes.
Brendan O'Connor is the editor-in-chief of Bungalower Media. He is the co-host of the weekly radio show Bungalower and The Bus on Real Radio 104.1 FM, an artist, and a professional gadabout.
Jess Redman is an author of award-winning stories for young readers, including THE MIRACULOUS, QUINTESSENCE, and THE ADVENTURE IS NOW. Redman lives in Florida with her husband, two children, and an old cat named SoulPie
Raquel V. Reyes writes Latina characters. Her stories and feature her Cuban-American heritage, Miami, and the Caribbean. The NYT Book Review said her debut Mango, Mambo, and Murder had “panache”.
As a broadcast meteorologist, Amy Sweezey has delivered daily forecasts for nearly 30 years. Amy authored two children's books about weather and created 2 weather workbooks for elementary students.
Panel Schedule
Session 1 - 10:30 - 11:20 A.M
Writing for Kids & Teens
Authors: Maria Ingrande Mora, Amy Sweezey, Jess Redman. Moderated by Lauren Gibaldi.
Writing for kids can be extremely rewarding, but is much harder than people think. These authors will discuss the challenges and joys writing for younger readers.
The authors will sign books after the panel, from 11:30 A.M to 12 P.M.
Session 2 - 12:00 – 12:50 P.M.
Tension and Twists
Authors: Elle E. Ire, Raquel Reyes, Trish Doller. Moderated by Laura Helseth.
Tension is the secret to hooking the reader, and writing twists requires a delicate balance. These authors will discuss how they keep readers engaged.
The authors will sign books after the panel, from 1 P.M to 1:30 P.M.
Session 3 - 1:30 – 2:20 P.M.
We Need to Talk About Florida
Authors: Christopher Balzano, Brendan O'Connor, Jon Busdeker. Moderated by James C. Clark.
What a weird, wacky state we live in. These authors will discuss their experiences writing about the Sunshine State.
The authors will sign books after the panel, from 2:30 P.M to 3 P.M.
Panel Moderators
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Laura Helseth: Like most Floridians, Laura is a transplant from somewhere that currently has ice and snow. She was in her 30s when she realized getting paid to read was actually a job, and loves every second of it. @littleread1
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Lauren Gibaldi is a public librarian who lives in Orlando, Florida with her husband and daughters. Her young adult books include The Night We Said Yes, Autofocus, and This Tiny Perfect World. @laurengibaldi
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James C. Clark is a senior lecturer in the History Department at the University of Central Florida. He is one of Florida's leading historians, the author of ten books and the editor of a three-volume anthology of Florida writers.