Celebrate the Power of Reading!  *  March 19, 2005

Feb. 3, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

 

            FORT MYERS, Fla.  The Lee County Library System invites everyone to a literary extravaganza at the sixth-annual Lee County Reading Festival, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 19 at the Harborside Event Center and Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers.  The Reading Festival, presented by the library system in partnership with the Foundation for the Lee County Library System, The News-Press, WINK News and Comcast, is a daylong celebration of the power of reading for adults and children.  This premiere literary event, a favorite among Lee County and surrounding residents, is the only one of its kind in Southwest Florida.  More than 15,000 people attended this free, one-day event last year, and festivities this year are expected to lure even more. 

 

            The Reading Festival will serve up a smorgasbord of interesting programs (many of which are enjoyed year-round at library locations) for adults, children of all ages and families.  Street theater, musical performances, magic and puppet shows, multicultural programs and a new "Tips on Publishing Your First Novel" workshop for adults are among activities that festivalgoers will enjoy in the park and at Harborside.  Attendants will also have an opportunity to meet best-selling authors and hear them speak inside the adjacent Harborside Event Center.  More than 30 authors will be on hand to sign books for fans.  The following will be among them:
 

• Dr. Ben Bova this year's Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and author of 100-plus futuristic novels and nonfiction books, including "Powersat" and "The Silent War."
• Sandra Brown  author of the latest romance thriller, "White Hot," and 40 New York Times best sellers, including "The Alibi," "Charade" and "The Crush." 
• Jeffrey Deaver  five-time Edgar Award nominee and best-selling author of suspense thrillers "The Coffin Dancer," "The Stone Monkey" and the recently released "Garden of Beasts."
• Janet Evanovich  two-time Independent Mystery Bookseller Association's Dilys Award recipient and author of the Stephanie Plum mystery series, which includes "Ten Big Ones" and "One for the Money," and the latest "Metro Girl."
• Dr. Michael Palmer  best-selling author of 12 medial suspense novels, including "Extreme Measures" (a 1996 feature film starring Hugh Grant, Gene Hackman and Sarah Jessica Parker), "Fatal" and his most recent "Society."
• Pete Hautman  award-winning author of young-adult novels "Godless," "Stone Cold" and "Mrs. Was."
• Kimberly Willis Holt critically acclaimed author of many children's books, including "Mister and Me," "My Louisiana Sky" and "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town."

         Community organizations and a variety of vendors will be on site at the festival.  Every child in attendance will receive a free book and every teen will receive a free magazine.  For more information about the festival, visit the Lee County Library System Web site: www.lee-county.com/library and click on the Lee County Reading Festival link, or call (239) 479-INFO.