Tampa Book Buzz

missed the authors in the park on saturday

On Saturday, I decided to actually get out and go somewhere instead of just passively blogging about local happenings. I went to Centennial Park in Ybor City for the Authors in the Park event. I got there about 1:30 p.m. but there everyone had gone home. Color me disappointed.

The trip wasn’t a total waste, though. I was able to talk to the manager for a few minutes. She said seven of the ten expected authors had shown up, but everyone had gone home early because of the weather. I don’t know if she meant the heat or the threat of rain. I was sweating profusely after being outside for only a few minutes, so I certainly understand not wanting to sit broiling in the sun for hours. She said the next Authors in the Park event will be in November. I asked her if she could post the names of the participating authors on the website next time and she said she would. Being able to chat with her made me a little less disappointed.

tampa author kendall smith-sullivan has new book

According to EWorldWire, Tampa author Kendall Smith-Sullivan has published a new book called Soulmate Logic:How Any Woman Can Find Her Perfect Partner Now. Learn more at www.soulmatelogic.com.

winter park author bryan davis has new book

According to the Agape Press website, Winter Park author Bryan Davis has published Raising Dragons, the fourth book in his Christian fantasy Dragons in Our Midst series.

added to my want to read someday list…

…Real Women of Tampa and Hillsborough County from Prehistory to the Millennium by Doris Weatherford

the tampa review’s prize for poetry

The University of Tampa’s Tampa Review is accepting submissions for its Prize for Poetry until December 31, 2005. Check their website for submission guidelines.

text and academic authors association unhappy with google’s library print project

The St. Petersburg-based Text and Academic Authors Association has announced its stance on Google’s Library Print Project, which involves scanning a significant portion of five major libraries and placing them on searchable servers around the world.

nobel prize for literature trivia

Did you know that Jean-Paul Sartre is the only person who voluntarily refused to accept the Nobel Prize for Literature? Did you know that France claims the highest number of Literature Laureates? Read more fun facts about the Nobel Prize for Literature here.

vote in the quill awards

According to the Award Winners Blog, the Quill Award is a new national book award that allows consumers to vote for the winners. The five nominees in each of the 19 categories were selected by a national panel of booksellers and librarians. The first Quill Awards will be announced on October 11 at a ceremony hosted by NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams, with appearances by Jon Stewart, Robert Klein and others.

The winners will be determined by consumer voting online at quillsvote.com, which will begin on August 15 and continue through September 15, 2005. Readers can cast their ballots for their favorites among the nominees shortlisted for each category and choose from the finalists in all genres for the Book of the Year.

According to the Quill Awards webpage, the awards ceremony will not be aired on NBC until October 22.

Speak (vote) now, or forever hold your peace.

usf st. pete searching for alumni who have published books or cds

USF St. Petersburg is gearing up to celebrate its 40th anniversary this fall and is looking for any alumni who have published books or musical CDs to include in an upcoming library exhibit. Visit their website for more information.

fun at inkwood books this fall

Inkwood Books has updated their website with this fall’s events:

September 8 — local author Frank Urso will read and sign his book A Stranger in the Barrio:Memoir of a Tampa Sicilian.

October 6 — Book Group Night. Bring the members of your book group — or come alone to find one — to share recommendations, likes and dislikes. There will be door prizes and free books.

October 24 — Stuart Woods will read and sign his book Iron Orchid, the latest in the best-selling Holly Barker series.

October 25 — Winter Park author Bob Morris will sign Jamaica Me Dead, his second madcap mystery set in the Caribbean and Florida.

October 29 — Inkwood Books is celebrating its 14th birthday party with a 20% off sale (see website for details).

November 3 — Betsy Carter will read and sign her debut novel The Orange Blossom Special.

November 10 — Stephanie Kallos will read and sign her debut novel Broken For You.

November 17 — Jose Latour will read and sign his book Comrades in Miami.