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 R.L. Stine. 

Registration is required to attend the keynote. Please see below for signing policies.

Register here to attend the keynote and receive email updates.

 

Time Event
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM Literary Organization Tables
10:30 AM Panel and Writing Workshop
11:30 AM Panel and Writing Workshop
12:30 PM Panel and Writing Workshop
2:30 PM Keynote: R.L. Stine (Registration required)
3:30 PM Signing - All Authors - (signing policies)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Featured Authors

Policy for R.L. Stine book signing:

  • Registered participants only
  • Limit two items per person
  • No line cutting or saving spots in line 
  • No posed photos will be allowed, but pictures can be taken while R.L. Stine signs books

Panel Schedule

10:30 AM

  • Publishing Tell-All with Lauren Gibaldi, Jenny Torres Sanchez, Kelly Coon. Moderator: Becky Herzog. - Three authors share their behind-the-scenes knowledge and experience. Ask anything you want to know about the publishing process and industry.
  • Relationships in YA with Ginny Myers Sain, Dominique Richardson, Christina Farley. Moderator: Frank Chillura. - Whether its best friends, enemies, frenemies, lovers, family, or teachers, relationships are paramount to most YA fiction. Three YA authors explore the importance of relationships in books for teens. 

11:30 AM

  • Improving Your Craft with Amy Christine Parker, David James Poissant, Madeline Martin, Deb Rogers. Moderator: Frank Chillura. - A good writer never stops leveling up their craft. These incredible authors will share how they leveled up their writing craft and share tips for how you can become a better writer.
  • Keeping It Tense with Owl Goingback, Sorboni Banerjee, Steph Post, Sarah Zachrich Jeng. Moderator: Laura Helseth. - Tension is the secret to both hooking and holding the reader. These authors will discuss how they craft delicious tension in their books.

12:30 PM

  • The Joys and Difficulties of Writing for Children with Adriana Hernández Bergstrom, Christy Mandin, Jan Eldredge. Moderator: Lauren Gibaldi. - Learn how to write stories that will captivate young readers from three picture book and middle grade authors.
  • Romancing the Book with Paige Lavoie, Racquel Henry, Alicia Thompson. Moderator: Laura Helseth. - Romance is the best-selling literary genre in the world. Come chat with the authors that make readers swoon.

Participating Literary Organizations

Authors and panels subject to change. 

FAQ

Q: Do I have to register to attend the Orlando Book Festival? A: Registration is required to attend the keynote with R.L Stine and book signing with R.L. Stine.

Q: Do attendees need to print their registration confirmation for entrance to the keynote? A: No, attendees will check in by providing a staff member with their name. Attendees should confirm their registration says "Registered" and NOT "Waitlist."

Q: Can I check in for the keynote early? A: Wristband distribution for registered attendees will start at 10:30 a.m. the day of the Orlando Book Festival, Saturday, April 15. Lost wristbands will not be replaced.

Q: What time is seating for the R.L. Stine keynote? A: Seating for registered attendees will take place from 1:45 PM to 2:25 PM. Registered attendees should arrive before 2:25pm.  Arriving after 2:25 pm does not guarantee seating once the event is at capacity.  

Contact Us

All questions and inquires should be directed to events@ocls.info. The Orlando Book Festival is closed to author submissions. 

Follow the conversation using #orlandobookfestival on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Parking

There are a variety of parking options available downtown, including the city's parking garage across the street on Central Blvd. For more information about parking, please visit the City of Orlando's Transportation Department's Downtown Orlando Parking pages for details about garage and on-street parking locations, rates, and hours of operation.

Accomodations

Any person requiring special accommodations to participate in any class or program due to a disability may arrange for assistance by contacting us at least seven days prior to the event.

Funding Provided By

National Endowment for the Humanities logo

Funding for this program was provided through a grant from the Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities. This event is free and open to the public.