Florence Festival of Books

08/17/2026

Eric Alan - Audio Engineer -- wants you to GIVE AUDIO A CHANCE! Eric will record a two-minute reading of attendees’ work of choice for all who stop by his Audio Lab. At noon, he’ll be recording students’ readings of their work from the Siuslaw Middle School “Plot Twisters," a.k.a. Ned Hickson’s Summer Enrichment Writer’s Club.

Eric is a multi-faceted author, photographer, lyricist, audio tech, event producer, meditation/ workshop leader, and is an integral part of Oregon’s music scene -- including as house emcee for the FACE Florence Winter Music Festival.

His most recently published book, "Grateful by Nature," explores gratitude as a transformative practice. At FFoB26 Eric will provide a space for attendees to give audio a chance during the Exhibition Hall hours.

Check out the sound waves at Table 4 on Saturday, 26 September 2026.

08/15/2026

Betty Simon is an Amazon bestselling author, international speaker, life coach, and hope advocate. AND ... for one day only, she'll be at the Florence Festival of Books -- 715 Quince Street in Florence, OR -- to meet you in person! Her faith-based memoir, "From Orphan to Inspiration: 11 Miracles That Helped Me Escape Death," shares how she survived multiple life-threatening experiences. Through her writing, speaking, and coaching, Betty helps people rediscover hope, build resilience, move forward with courage, and believe their stories are not over. She also helps overwhelmed moms move from surviving to thriving with peace, confidence, and joy. Find her and 40 other Exhibitors in the Exhibition Hall from 10:30a to 4:30p on September 26th!

08/14/2026

Meet author Sue DeMarinis at Table #3. An independent Ashland author who retired as the first female Southern Oregon chiropractor, she loves history -- including digging up impactful facts of unknown characters and bringing them to life. Her first book was a historical novel based on research she undertook as her Victorian house was entering its 100th year. "The Station Master's Wife: A Scandalous Life Exposed" by S.K. (Sue) DeMarinis is set primarily in Ashland, Oregon, starting in 1887 during the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Sue has four published novels and is currently completing writing novel #5 about the first female FBI agent.

08/13/2026

Author and wood crafter Steve Davala is interested in creating unique worlds and items in the realms of fantasy, Sci-Fi, and wood turning. With Laurie Davala, he also created the children’s books: "Books are for Reading, Not Eating!" and "The Books Bit Me Back!" Both are illustrated by Francesca Da Sacco. Meet Steve at Table 2 at the Festival of Books ... and check out his woodworking as well!

08/13/2026

A. Lynn Ash is the author of three memoirs about her 30 years of camping adventures, and "Eugeneana: A Memoir of an Oregon Hometown," where she currently lives. In addition to writing lively non-fiction, Ash was an avid long-distance runner back in the day. She says [and who are we to deny her claim ... she has that Serious Runner attitude!] she was the first female jogger in Eugene -- Track Town, USA! -- in the early 1960s. “I bought shoes in the men’s department because women’s running shoes didn’t exist.” Lynn will have her new book, "School Marm," to sell and sign.

Meet Lynn at Table 1 on September 26th at the FACE Festival of Books, 715 Quince Street, Florence, from 9:30a to 4:30p. Small admission charge; 18 and under free.

08/12/2026

Melissa Hart: Make 'em LAUGH! Laugh WITH her on September 26th -- Melissa will be our keynote speaker!

We're loving Melissa Hart's insight at our panel on the writing and publishing life. Wise words also from Dana Haynes, LeFoster Williams, and Brian W. Parker. What a start to our Conference weekend!

08/12/2026

Simple truth...

💯📖

08/01/2026

AUGUST! And only 53 days until the FACE Florence Festival of Books!

Happy August!
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(If you haven’t read Carney’s House Party yet 👇)
https://shop.betsy-tacysociety.org/product/carney-s-house-party-by-maud-hart-lovelace-hardcover/1069

04/30/2026

In Florence now ...

🌊 Career Opportunity: Executive Director
📍 Western Lane County (Siuslaw Region) | 💻 Remote + Flexible
🗓 Now hiring, apply by May 1, 2026 (5 PM PST)

Siuslaw Vision is looking for its next Executive Director to lead the organization into the next decade of community building work.

If you love the Siuslaw region, are passionate about connecting with people to help make our community better, and are adaptable and creative, we’d love to hear from you. The position includes supervising part-time employees and contractors, managing the organization’s finances, and working with a volunteer Board of Directors to ensure compliance with our nonprofit policies.

This role is central to helping our community turn shared vision into real impact.

👉 Apply now at https://siuslawvision.org/career-director/
⏳ Deadline: Friday, May 1 at 5 PM PST
📩 Questions? See our listing for more details. Contact [email protected]

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04/30/2026

This could be FLORENCE!

April 25 is Independent Bookstore Day! Some people think bookstores and libraries don't get along, but studies show that library users are also bookstore customers. We love our local booksellers!

What's the coolest indie bookstore you've visited?

📷: wordsmithwraith on Twitter