Okay y’all, Mother Nature has put us on notice, so we’re putting you on notice. We have to keep the safety of our readers and staff in mind, no matter how exciting the lineup…
For Monday, as we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day:
- The Adventures in Reading Kids Club IS still taking place at 5:30 pm on Monday.
- Main Street Writes will meet on Zoom as usual.
- The Onyx Storm release party happening Monday IS on (for those of you who already registered – the event is a sold out affair).
As for the rest of the week:
- Tuesday’s Peaceful Mornings is postponed and will resume in February.
- Our book signing with Nadine Theiss’s Starcrossed Nocturne is postponed until March 18th.
- The Kill & Tell Romance Book Club is postponed until February, when we’ll discuss February’s pick, Ruthless Creatures, and also make a bit of time to chat about the pick we’re unable to discuss this month, The Playboy.
- Wednesday’s Stories on the Square is cancelled but will resume next week as usual.
We do expect the store to remain open with regular business hours, but of course encourage you to get in today and tomorrow to stock up on those “curl up under the cover” reads ’til the cold front moves on through.
And if you’re not a “damned Yankee” like me, then please stay safe and keep off the roads! Otherwise, we’ll see you on Main Street
What IS Happening…
The Summerville Book Festival 2025!
And while, yes, we still have a few (amazing) folks to add to the Lowcountry Stars lineup, and a few surprise authors at the Timrod, you CAN begin planning your incredible day!
HINT: The ticketed events will all sell out; please DO register for these ASAP. Y’all don’t get to say I didn’t warn ya later, okay? (Each of these, the Timrod Active Writing, the Writing for Stage & Screen at the Flowertown Players Studio and the Bestsellers Stage at the Flowertown Players Theatre are indoor events.)
Here’s a better look at just the theatre programming lineup, and next week we’ll take a closer look at the workshops, the Children’s Stage and the Lowcountry Stars Stage!
MEET YOUR BESTSELLER STAGE AUTHORS!
The Summerville Book Festival stages include our Bestsellers Stage at the Flowertown Theatre. Doors open at noon and the first keynote begins at 1 pm. The final keynote ends at 5:30 pm, followed by signing/reception.
- ALL programming at the Flowertown Players Theatre (two keynotes and three themed panels shown below).
- A signed copy of each of the keynote speakers’ featured titles; including one The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan AND one Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix. (Additional copies for sale/signing at the theatre and at Main Street Reads.)
- PLUS: VIP ticket holders enjoy 10% off the purchase of any panel author’s book in the theatre bookstore or at Main Street Reads.
- PLUS, VIP ticket holders will have exclusive admission to the Authors/Sponsors/VIP Reception at Main Street Reads at 5:30 p.m., following the festival (apps/drinks included).
- (A general admission ticket is also available without reception or discounts included, but does include your choice of just one of the keynote speakers’ books.)
- Buy your tickets now – this event WILL sell out before the 15th. Tickets are available via the link below or in-store at Main Street Reads.
TWO Incredible Keynotes: Kate and Grady!
Kate Fagan: The Three Lives of Cate Kay (Opening Keynote 1:00 pm)
Giving the opening keynote at 1:00 pm (Flowertown Theater) will be New York Times bestselling author Kate Fagan, whose newly released The Three Lives of Cate Kay was just named the January 2025 Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick!
Grady Hendrix: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls (Closing Keynote 4:30 pm)
Presenting the closing keynote is New York Times bestselling author, the incomparable Grady Hendrix, who further cements his status as a “horror master” with his new release, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls.
FAB FANTASY PANEL
Dorothy McFalls: Moonlight Dragon Duo Panel)
Dorothy McFalls writes fantasy, Regency romances, and bestselling mysteries too (under pen name Dorothy St. James)
Winnefred Tataw: Child of Tempus
Winnefred Tataw aka “Winnie,” is an artist, entrepreneur, and author of The Gods’ Scion. launched with Child of Tempus.
E.M. Etheridge: She Tames the Sea
E.M. Etheridge, will join the fantasy panel with her dark fantasy novel, She Tames the Sea: – already a debut success here!
Denise Lee: Bloodstone Legacy
Denise Lee will join the panel with her Bloodstone Legacy, first in the Descendants of Bloodstone fantasy series.
KISS & TELL ROMANCE PANEL
Christina Sinisi: Why They Call It Falling
Christina Sinisi is a professor at Charleston Southern University and the author of several Christian Romance novels, including Christmas Confusion, Sweet Summer, and Why They Call it Falling. Christina will moderate this 2:45 pm panel.
Rebecca Wrights: Feels Like Coming Home
Rebecca Wrights is a Charleston-based romance author, who will be part of the Romance panel at the Flowertown Players Theatre, chatting about her second chance romance novel Feels Like Coming Home.
Nadine Theiss: Starcrossed Nocturne
Author Nadine Thiess will join the festival’s Kiss & Tell Romance Panel 2:45 pm, with insights into her new vampire romance, Starcrossed Nocturne.
Elaine Reed: Take a Chance on Me
Elaine Reed, romance author and president of the Lowcountry Romance Writers, will present on the Kiss & Tell Romance panel at 2:45 pm.
THRILL IN THE ‘VILLE PANEL
Yasmin Angoe: Not What She Seems
Yasmin Angoe will be featured on our Thriller panel at the Flowertown Players theater, discussing her latest award-winning work, Not What She Seems, a wonderfully twisty thriller. She is also the author of the Nena Knight series, and a favorite with the Main Street Reads “Thrill in the Ville” thriller book club.
Stacy Willingham: Only If You’re Lucky
We’re delighted that New York Times bestselling author Stacy Willingham, hailed as the gold standard in psychological suspense, will join and moderate our Thrill in the Ville thriller panel. Her latest book, the wildly popular Only If You’re Lucky, has just released in paperback (and you’ll get a sneak peek into her new release, coming this August!)
Penny Goetjen: Deadly Ripples
Joining the Thrill in the ‘Ville thriller panel is award-winning author Penny Goetjen, whose latest murder mystery takes place in Charleston!
Connie Froman Davis: Death Writes Itself
Joining the Thriller panel is local Connie Froman Davis, former Homeland Security professor and author of Death Writes Itself:
FOR FULL EVENT DETAILS – CLICK HERE!
FESTIVAL MAP/SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
CLICK on the image to download/print this map and schedule for the big day: