Off the Page Literary Celebration
Literary Celebration features author talks, book signings, writing workshops, and more!
Off the Page is a literary celebration hosted by Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources throughout the month of November. Events include author talks and book signings by bestselling authors, writing workshops, and more with all 10 library locations participating and partner locations, Ringling College of Art and Design.
Every year a new artist is selected to create the Off the Page illustration. The 2025 illustration was created by Jenin Mohammed, who was born and raised in Miramar, Florida. A graduate of UCF’s Character Animation program, Jenin officially broke into children’s publishing after winning the 2020 Summer Spectacular Illustration Grand Prize. A fan of humor, she draws the slice-of-life comic Knot Write Now.
2025 Keynote Author
Amy Tan
Friday, Nov. 7 | 7 p.m.
Riverview Performing Arts Center
1 Ram Way, Sarasota, FL 34231
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General and Visitor parking lots.
First come, first seated.
Amy Tan is the author of seven New York Times bestselling books, including “The Joy Luck Club,” “The Kitchen God’s Wife” and her latest, “The Backyard Bird Chronicles,” which debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times and Indie bestseller lists. Her work spans adult and children’s fiction, essays, and memoir, and has been translated into 35 languages. Known for exploring family, identity and the immigrant experience, Tan brings humor, insight and a lifelong passion for creativity to the stage. Her newest book pairs her love of science and art in nature journal sketches and personal reflections on birdwatching.
2025 Featured Authors and Events
Lucy H. Hedrick
Monday, Nov. 3 | 2 p.m.
Gulf Gate Library
7112 Curtiss Ave., Sarasota, FL 34231
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Author Lucy H. Hedrick transports us to 1930s Reno inside an intriguing divorce colony and explains the complex history behind her novel, "Six Weeks in Reno."
Jack E. Davis
Thursday, Nov. 6 | 2 p.m.
North Port Library
13800 Tamiami Trail, North Port, FL 34287
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Pulitzer Prize-winning environmental historian Jack E. Davis writes acclaimed nonfiction such as “The Gulf” and “The Bald Eagle,” blending American history, nature and cultural identity.
Sam Kean
Monday, Nov. 10 | 6 p.m.
Gulf Gate Library
7112 Curtiss Ave., Sarasota, FL 34231
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Discover ancient civilizations with Sam Kean, bestselling author of "The Disappearing Spoon" as he reveals secrets from his new book, "Dinner with King Tut."
Link to Sam Kean's titles hoopla.
Lisa Daily
Tuesday, Nov. 11 | 7 p.m.
Ringling College of Art & Design
2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234
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Join USA Today bestselling author Lisa Daily for a fast, funny crash course in crafting love stories that leave hearts racing and pages turning.
Robert K. Wittman
Wednesday, Nov. 12 | 3 p.m.
William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
300 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice, FL 34285
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Join Robert Wittman, a famed FBI art crime detective who recovered over $300 million in stolen art, as he reveals thrilling stories behind major art theft recoveries as told in his bestslling book "Priceless."
G.L. Pedersen and J.M. Naughton
Thursday, Nov. 13 | 2 p.m.
Osprey Library
337 N Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229
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Award-winning authors G.L. Pedersen and J.M. Naughton write about real women often overlooked by history. Together they created the Historic Moonlight Cemetery Tours of Woodlawn Cemetery and Weekend History Stroll series to places of historic interest across Palm Beach County.
Isaac Eger
Thursday, Nov. 13 | 6 p.m.
Selby Library
1331 First St., Sarasota, FL 34236
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Celebrate Florida’s ranching legacy with Isaac Eger's vibrant storytelling and photography in "The Great Florida Cattle Drive."
Stan Tekiela
Friday, Nov. 14 | 1 p.m.
William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
300 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice, FL 34285
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Over the past four decades Stan Tekiela has authored more than 200 field guides, nature appreciation books and wildlife audio CDs for nearly every state in the nation.
Chris Bohjalian
Saturday, Nov. 15 | 3 p.m.
Selby Library
1331 First. St., Sarasota, FL 34236
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Bestselling author Chris Bohjalian discusses his acclaimed novels, including "Midwives" and "The Flight Attendant," a book that became the hit HBO Max series.
Horror Author Panel with the Horror Writers Association
Monday, Nov. 17 | 4 p.m.
North Port Library
13800 Tamiami Trail, North Port, FL 34287
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Join members of the Horror Writers Association for a spine-tingling panel on writing dark fiction, hosted by the Southwest Florida Chapter of HWA.
Annabelle Tometich
Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 2 p.m.
Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
4143 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice, FL 34293
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Join Annabelle Tometich as she discusses her book, “The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony” (Little, Brown; April 2024), called “sweet, sharp” by The New York Times, and named among the best books of 2024 by The Washington Post and NPR.
Janet and Alex Evanovich
Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 3 p.m.
Shannon Staub Library
4675 Career Lane, North Port, FL 34289
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Bestselling author Janet Evanovich ("The King’s Ransom") and her daughter, YA writer Alex Evanovich ("Evil Villains International League"), team up to share stories, laughs and writing tips.
View their graphic novel for "Troublemaker" in ComicsPlus.
View Alex Evanovich's "Keeper Chance and the Conundrum of Chaos" in CloudLibrary.
Fiona Davis
Thursday, Nov. 20 | 6 p.m.
William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice Library
300 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice, FL 34285
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Fiona Davis is the New York Times bestselling author of eight historical fiction novels, each set in an iconic New York City building. Her compelling titles include “The Magnolia Palace,” “The Address,” and “The Lions of Fifth Avenue,” a Good Morning America book club pick.
Family, Youth, Tween and Teen events
Writing Workshops
Publishing Day
Saturday, Nov. 1 | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Selby Library
1331 1st St., Sarasota, FL 34236
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Join an exciting writer’s conference—meet publishing experts, swap books, and take your writing to the next level at the Off the Page literary celebration kickoff featuring publishing industry professionals and instructors from Ringling College of Art and Design.
View the full schedule of presentations and activities in the library calendar.
Writers Workshop for Teens
Monday, Nov. 3 | 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 10 | 4 - 5:30 p.m.
North Port Library
13800 Tamiami Trail, North Port, FL 34287
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If you like writing your own pieces or would like to branch out and grow your creativity, come join us for our Writers Workshop. Enhance your writing skills, participate in free-writing exercises and get feedback on written work.
Rhythm and Rhyme Workshop
Wednesday, Nov. 5 | 3 - 4 p.m.
Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
2801 Newtown Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34234
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Join teaching artist Karim Manning in this interactive workshop about utilizing rhythm and rhyme to express yourself. Karim has been performing beatboxing, lyricism, and producing music for over 20 years.
Poetry Workshop
Thursday, Nov. 6 | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Elsie Quirk Library
100 West Dearborn St., Englewood, FL 34223
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Laura Shoemaker's poetry has been featured in Poetry Northwest, The Bellingham Review, FIELD, and other literary journals. Her chapbook, "For Want," was published by Finishing Line Press.
Off the Page Programs
Browse our past programs with our featured authors, presenters and events.
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Funding is provided in part through a Florida Humanities Book Festival Grant with funds from the Jacarlene Foundation and in partnership with Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources and the Library Foundation for Sarasota County. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the Jacarlene Foundation.