This beautifully written book explores the collision of adoption and identity, motherhood and loss.

Mother Country by Jacinda Townsend is a novel about two women, Shannon and Souria, who are connected by a young girl they both claim as their own, and explores themes of motherhood, human trafficking, and privilege through their intertwined stories in Morocco and Kentucky.

Shannon, an African American woman, unofficially adopts a toddler in Marrakech, while the girl's birth mother, Souria, is a Mauritanian woman who escaped human trafficking.

The book, published in 2022, won the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence and delves into intergenerational trauma and the complexities of love and survival.

Monday, Apr 6 from 9:30 pm to 10:30 pm GMT+5

Online event

In legalese, an excited utterance is a statement about a startling or exciting event made by a participant in, or a person who personally observed, the event.

What happens when writers dare to expose their family secrets through stories and memoir?  

Join us for the kick-off of this year's First Dibs Editors Salon series! In this exclusive preview, you'll learn about four of the most exciting books releasing this season in a conversation with the editors who helped shape and publish them.

February 17 at 7:00 pm ET on Zoom | REGISTER - Space is Limited

Through its Literary Projects Program, Toronto Arts Council (TAC) provides funding to professional, non-profit, Toronto literary organizations and collectives to pursue one-time or time-limited literary projects involving production, presentation, magazine publishing and other activities that contribute to the development of the literary arts in Toronto. The City of Toronto supports this program through a funding allocation approved annually by Toronto City Council. You may apply in one of two categories described below. The maximum grant available in all categories of this program is $8,000.

TAC will not fund 100% of the project budget. Applicants must indicate a range of revenue sources, which may include donated goods and services. Applicants may receive less than the full amount requested.  Feb 25 · 10:30 PM GMT+5:30

During the Festival, visitors will have the opportunity to meet more than 100 exhibiting authors from across the country. Many of these authors are self-published and come to Amelia Island to introduce you to their work. We'll be announcing exhibiting authors shortly.

Back by popular demand is the Kids Zone a fun filled area to keep the young ones engaged.

Ultimately, you’ll find unlimited opportunities to enrich your life with books in a fun loving, festive atmosphere. Know More

This event is held both online and in-person at the Bronx Library Center. Please attend and participate in all upcoming programs. Ready to fall in love with your next read? Take a chance on a literary mystery with Blind Date with a Book, a fun and engaging adult reading program centered on surprise and discovery. Each month, you’ll be matched with a carefully selected book, revealed only after you commit, encouraging you to step outside your usual reading habits and try something new. Pro…

Registration required: Online

Yosha Gunasekera • Jacquelyn Mitchard • Lori Rader-Day • Kate White 

The Back Room is the brainchild of bestselling authors Hank Phillippi Ryan and Karen Dionne. 

Learn more about how they conceived of The Back Room, how it works, and about their books too!

Sunday, May 3, 2026 - 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Warehouse 215 in Downtown Phoenix

215 E Grant Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004

• Free Books: The first 1,500 kids (17 years and younger) will receive a book!
• Arizona Authors: More than 40 authors from throughout Arizona, published in a variety of genres for all ages.
• Children’s Corner: Free book-themed make-and-take crafts, story time, and more!
• Author Talks: Inspiring presentations and book signings with best-selling authors.
• The Writer’s Scene: Vendors offering services or support to authors and writers.
• Writing on the Spectrum: Books and services by, for and about autistic and neurodivergent people.
• Shopping: Books! And book- and writing-themed souvenirs, gifts and more.
• Food and drinks, live music, and more throughout the day!
  

Attendance is free, but if you present an Eventbrite ticket, you’ll also receive a free book box from Tempe-based Once Upon a Book Club (valued at $69.99). Click here to get your Eventbrite ticket!

Registration required: Online

Bringing Readers and Writers Together

Come and enjoy a day of book browsing. Meet 100 local and regional authors 

Outstanding authors from around Florida and the nation who write in many genres will gather at the beautiful Santa Fe College Fine Arts Hall on January 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to sell books and talk about their work.

Festivities include guest speakers, giveaways, storytelling, and a play.

Find festival event details here.

Make sure to bring the kids for story time—from 12 to 3 p.m. on Saturday. 

California

December 13-14: Comic Arts LA—Los Angeles

A free, public curated festival promoting the appreciation of comics, graphic novels, and sequential arts among the broader LA public. Aims to foster interactions among creators and readers by providing a diverse inclusive space to connect and discover new work. 

Join Now

** This event is online only. Join staff from the West New Brighton Library for an hour of coloring and conversation. Even though we will be coloring from our homes, we can still color together! We can chat with each other about books we are reading, hobbies, and movies/tv shows all while we color. Feel free to share your coloring creations with others if you like! Coloring can be done by anyone of any age, and coloring has been shown to alleviate stress and anxiety. Please note: This is…

Registration required: Online

Already a critic and reader favorite of 2025, take a deep dive into Allegra Goodman's national bestseller as we celebrate its paperback launch. Inspired by a...read more

Reserve Now : 12/03/2025 - 7:00pm to 8:15pm