Mission Statement:
Read It Write It is more than just a festival; it's a journey through the world of words. Our mission is to elevate literacy and ignite a passion for writing in individuals of all ages. We believe that books and the art of writing hold the keys to personal growth, creativity, and a deeper connection to the world around us. Join us for a day of inspiration, education, and celebration of the written word!
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Panel Discussions: Engage in meaningful conversations about literature, publishing, and the power of storytelling in our society.
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Literary Open Mic: Share your own writing or enjoy the creativity of fellow attendees during our open mic sessions. All voices are welcome!
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Community Engagement: Connect with local libraries, literacy organizations, and writing groups to discover ongoing opportunities to nurture your passion for books and writing.
Read It Write It 2025
Writing Competition
The Read It Write It Writing Competition—a celebration of literary talent and creative expression! Open to writers of all ages, our competition invites you to weave your tales and craft your verses in the realms of short fiction and poetry (1500 words or less). Whether you're a seasoned wordsmith or a budding storyteller, this is your chance to shine. With separate categories for youth and adults, we aim to inspire and recognize diverse voices from every corner. Best of all, entry is free! Join us as we delve into the magic of storytelling, where prizes await those whose words captivate our hearts and minds. Don't miss your opportunity to become part of our vibrant writing community. Submit your masterpiece today and let your creativity soar!
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Author Talks & Book Signings: Meet renowned authors and gain insight into their creative processes. Get your books signed and engage in thought-provoking discussions.
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Writing Workshops: Hone your writing skills with interactive workshops led by experienced writers and industry experts. From storytelling to poetry, there's something for everyone.
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Book Fair: Explore a diverse range of books from local and national authors. Find your next favorite read or discover hidden literary gems.
From the desk of Heidi Hess...
July 29, 2024 ~ The great thing about starting over is starting over. It has been a little over six weeks since Read It Write It 2024. I love looking at what we did last year, rested and with fresh eyes, asking myself, how can we make it better? Thank you to everyone who filled out the survey. I took away some insightful information. I am always open to suggestions because, after all, this isn't my show... it's yours and mine. I love the collaborative efforts of everyone involved.
The first round of invitations has gone out. The response was overwhelming. Thank you. I'll be sending out the second round of invitations in the next few days. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to reach out. I'm an email away and I try to respond within twenty-four hours.
Read It Write It 2024
Year Three of Read It Write It found us back at the Wellington Green Mall with a record number of participating authors and readers. Not only did we have USA Today and Wall Street Journal Best Selling authors but also Emmy Award winning journalist, Mel Taylor.
Panels were well attended and ranged from how to publish your book, to writing romance and intense mystery novels, as well as a poetry reading.
We were lucky to have a full panel for the Writing Children's Books. On the panel, we had several writers, an illustrator, and a publisher from Australia.
Our writing competition proved that there's a lot of natural talent here in Florida.
We are already looking forward to next year!
Read It Write It 2023
Year Two of Read It Write It Book and Writing Festival happened on Saturday, February 25, 2023 and found a home at The Mall at Wellington Green. It's a beautiful space and the staff was fantastic.
This year's authors and panels were diverse. There was everything from Secrets Every Author Should Know to How to Write Your Memoir and of course a special Flamenco Dance performance by author Sandra Samore.
The guest authors were a list of who's who in the writing world: Lynessa Layne, Steve Altier, Tess Combs, Betty Rafter, Kiera Yore to name a few.
Read It Write It 2022
