Off the Page Literary Celebration

Amor Towles

Friday, Nov. 8 | 7 p.m.
Venice Performing Arts Center
1 Indian Ave., Venice, FL 34285
View on Map

Amor Towles is an award-winning author, and his novels have sold more than 6 million copies and have been translated into more than 30 languages. Towles graduated from Yale and received his M.A. in English from Stanford. He now resides in Manhattan, where he lives with his wife and two children.

Attending this event? Submit a question for Amor Towles!

Link to Amor Towles' titles in our library catalog and in cloudLibrary.

Chef Edward Lee

Tuesday, Nov. 12 | 6 p.m.
Shannon Staub Library
4675 Career Lane, North Port, FL 34289
View on Map | Get Directions

Chef Edward Lee is a celebrity chef, author and restaurateur.  His restaurants include 610 Magnolia, Nami and Succotash.  He earned an Emmy nomination for his role on “The Mind of a Chef,” was a judge on “Top Chef” and wrote and hosted the documentary “Fermented.”  He has also earned the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award in 2021 as well as the 2019 James Beard Award.

Attending this event? Submit a question for Chef Edward Lee!

Link to Chef Edward Lee's titles in the library catalog, cloudLibrary and hoopla.

Lisa Unger

Wednesday, Nov. 13 | 2 p.m.
William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice Library
300 Nokomis Avenue South, Venice, FL 34285
View on map

Lisa Unger is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of over 20 novels. Her books are published in multiple languages internationally and she is known as a master of suspense.

Attending this event? Submit a question for Lisa Unger!

Link to Lisa Unger's titles in our library catalog, cloudLibrary and hoopla.

Oliver James

Wednesday, Nov. 13 | 3 p.m.
Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
2801 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34234
View on Map | Get Directions

Wednesday, Nov. 13 | 6 p.m.
Fruitville Library
100 Apex Rd. Sarasota, FL 34240
View on Map | Get Directions

Oliver James, a TikTok sensation and motivational speaker, shares his journey of learning to read as an adult, discussing his challenges, triumphs, and mental health. His inspiring story has been featured on Good Morning America, NPR, and in People magazine. He received the 2023 National Literacy Honors Award from the Barbara Bush Foundation.

Sandra Gurvis

Thursday, Nov. 14 | 2 - 3 p.m.
Osprey Library and History Center
337 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229
View Map
"Three Ringling Circus: A History of Sarasota, Florida, and the Famous Ringling Brothers"
Author Sandra Gurvis invites us to come for the (slightly stale) circus peanuts, stay for the scoop on John Ringling, Sarasota and The Ringling. This presentation includes the early days of the natives, Blacks and settlers; the origins of the Ringling family and ahead-of-their-time ways of developing their circus; and the massive amounts of finagling that went into the creation of the Art Museum and Ca d’Zan.

Link to Sandra Gurvis' book in the library catalog.

Rebecca Renner

Thursday, Nov. 14 | 6 p.m. 
Selby Library
1331 1st St., Sarasota, FL 34236
View on Map | Get Directions

Rebecca Renner, an author and National Geographic contributor from Daytona Beach, Fla., has written for The New York Times, The Paris Review, The Washinton Post and more. Her debut book, “Gator Country,” has been acclaimed by the New York Times, NPR, and others, and featured on best of 2023 lists by BookPage and Amazon.

Attending this event? Submit a question for Rebecca Renner!

Link to Rebecca Renner's book in the library catalog and cloudLibrary.

Curtis Sittenfeld

Saturday, Nov. 16 | 3 p.m. 
Selby Library
1331 1st St., Sarasota, FL 34236
View on Map | Get Directions

Curtis Sittenfeld, author of “Prep,” “American Wife,” “Eligible,” and “Romantic Comedy,” has books selected as "Ten Best of the Year" by top publications, translated into 30 languages, and optioned for TV and film. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker and The New York Times. She graduated from Stanford and Iowa Writers' Workshop.

Attending this event? Submit a question for Curtis Sittenfeld!

Link to Curtis Sittenfeld's books in the library catalog, cloudLibrary and hoopla.

Author Kirsten Hines

Monday, Nov. 18 | 6 - 7 p.m.
Gulf Gate Library
7112 Curtiss Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34231
View Map
Kirsten Hines is a Coconut Grove, Florida-based writer, wildlife photographer, and conservationist. In addition to illustrating her writing, Kirsten’s images have been featured in numerous photography showcases and exhibitions, public art programs, and magazines. She lectures widely on wildlife, conservation, naturalistic gardening, leads wildlife photography field trips, and provides photography workshops.

Link to Kirsten Hine's books in the library catalog.

"Florida's Healing Waters" with Rick Kilby

Tuesday, Nov. 19 | 2 - 3 p.m.
Osprey Library and History Center
337 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229
View Map
Author Rick Kilby discusses his book "Florida's Healing Waters: Gilded Age Mineral Springs, Seaside Resorts & Health Spas." Filled with rare photographs, vintage postcards and advertisements, and fascinating descriptions from over 100 years ago, "Florida’s Healing Waters" spotlights a little-known time in Florida history when tourists poured into the state in search of good health. This book was awarded both a silver medal for Florida history in the Florida Book Awards and the Stetson Kennedy Award.

Link to Rick Kilby's books in the library catalog.

Roy Peter Clark On Writing

Wednesday, Nov. 20 | 6 - 7 p.m.
Fruitville Library
100 Apex Road, Sarasota, FL 34240
View Map
Roy Peter Clark is America’s writing coach, devoted to creating a nation of writers. For more than three decades, Clark has taught writing at the Poynter Institute one of the most prominent schools for journalists in the world. He has taught writing at news organizations, schools, businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies in more than forty states and on five continents.

View Roy Peter Clark's books in the library catalog and cloudLibrary.

John Fowler

Thursday, Nov. 21 | 3 - 5 p.m.
Gulf Gate Library
7112 Curtiss Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34231
View Map
In "A Forest in the Clouds", John Fowler takes us into the world of Karisoke Research Center, the remote mountain gorilla camp of Dr. Dian Fossey, a few years prior to her gruesome murder. "A Forest in the Clouds" takes the armchair adventurer on a journey into an extraordinary world that now only exists in the memories of the very few who knew it.

View John Fowler's book in the library catalog, cloudLibrary and hoopla.

Soman Chainani

Thursday, Nov. 7 | 6 p.m.
Shannon Staub Library
4675 Career Lane, North Port, FL 34289
View on Map | Get Directions

Soman Chainani’s debut series, The School for Good & Evil, sold over 4 million copies, was translated into 35 languages, and became a #1 Netflix film in 80+ countries. His “Beasts & Beauty” debuted on the NYT Bestseller List and will be a Sony 3000 series. Chainani, a Harvard and Columbia graduate, has been nominated for the Waterstone Prize and received the Sun Valley Writer’s Fellowship.

Attending this event? Submit a question for Soman Chainani!

Link to Soman Chainani's titles in the library catalog, cloudLibrary and hoopla.

Jarod Roselló

Tuesday, Nov. 19 | 7 p.m.
Ringling College of Art and Design
Goldstein Library (room 113)
2700 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234
View on map

Jarod Roselló is a Cuban American writer, cartoonist, and teacher originally from Miami, Florida. He is the author and artist of the award-winning middle-grade graphic novel series Red Panda & Moon Bear, and the chapter book graphic novel series, Super Magic Boy. 

Link to Jarod Rosello's titles in the library catalog, cloudLibrary and hoopla.

Writing Workshops with Glenn Schudel

Writing Workshop Kickoff
Friday, Nov. 1 | 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Selby Library
1331 1st St., Sarasota, FL 34236
View on Map | Get Directions

Playwriting Workshop
Monday, Nov. 4 | 1 - 2 p.m.
Elsie Quirk Library
100 W. Dearborn St., Englewood, FL 34223
View on Map

Glen Schudel returns to Off the Page! A Creative Writing professor at Ringling College, his experience includes a career in dramaturgy, text writing and playwriting. All levels of writers are welcome; bring your passion for storytelling and get ready to write. Please bring a laptop or pen and paper! for hands-on activities and story-generating exercises.

Writers Workshop for Teens

Monday, Nov. 4 | 4 - 5 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 18 | 3 - 4 p.m.
North Port Library
13800 Tamiami Trail, North Port, FL 34287
View Map

If you like writing your own pieces or would like to branch out and grow your creativity, come join us for our Writers Workshop.

Writing Picture Books with Ryan G. Van Cleave

Wednesday, Nov. 6 | 2 - 3 p.m.
William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
300 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice, FL 34285
View Map

Dr. Ryan G. Van Cleave is the author of dozens of books, including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for both children and adults. When Ryan isn’t writing, he’s crisscrossing the country, teaching writing at schools throughout the United States. He also moonlights as The Picture Book Doctor, helping celebrities write stories for kids and bring them to life on the page, stage, and screen.

View Ryan G. Van Cleave's titles in the library catalog and cloudLibrary.

Poetry Reading and Workshop

Wednesday, Nov. 6 | 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
4143 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice, FL 34293
View Map

Poet and rapper Karim Manning will lead us in an interactive poetry workshop. For writers looking to work on their craft.

Making Comics - The Perfect Union of Art and Writing

Friday, Nov. 8 | 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
2801 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34234
View Map

Join comics-artist and professor Gary Barker and professor and comics-writer Rick Dakan from Ringling College of Art and Design in a hands-on workshop on how image and words work together to create great comic books and graphic novels. Audience participation encouraged, appropriate for all ages. 

View Gary Barker's work in Garfield titles in the library catalog, cloudLibrary and hoopla.

View Rick Dakan's work in the library catalog, cloudLibrary and hoopla.

Tapping Your Own Wellspring

Wednesday, Nov. 20 | 2 - 3 p.m.
William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
300 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice, FL 34285
View Map

Do you keep a journal—or want to? Writing for an audience of no one but yourself can clarify your thoughts, lower your blood pressure, and stir your muse. Join author/Ringling College professor/certified Journal to the Self® instructor Sylvia Whitman in exploring techniques for starting or refreshing your writing practice. Bring pen and paper, and come ready to plumb your own depths.

Publishing Possibilities

Tuesday, Nov. 12 | 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Elsie Quirk Library
100 W. Dearborn St., Englewood, FL 34223
View Map

Dive into the world of publishing with author Kristin Owens! If you've ever considered publishing a book, there are many variables to consider. Costs, time, and maintaining control over the process, are critical elements in decision-making. But how do you decide which publishing path to choose, when you don't have answers? Every writer has their own set of must-haves and non-negotiables, so it's vital to educate yourself before you start. 

Copyright and IP for Librarians and Writers

Friday, Nov. 15 | 12 - 1 p.m.
Selby Library
1331 First St., Sarasota, FL 34236
Google Maps

Elena M. Paul, Esq. is the General Counsel of Ringling College of Art and Design where she also manages the Contracts Department. This workshop will provide an overview of copyright (and other forms of intellectual property) for librarians, library workers and writers. The goal of the workshop is to increase understanding of how the law relates to the work we use and make. Topics will include copyright ownership and authorship, licensing and works-made-for-hire, reproduction and manipulation of images, invasion of privacy, and fair use.