By Sarah Sell, University Communications and Marketing
The history, environment and culture of Florida has been described as unique, complex and a bit strange. A new book festival offers a chance for the public to hear from award-winning authors who explore the many facets of the Florida experience.
The inaugural Florida Studies Book Festival will be held at USF St. Petersburg on April 5 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library. Several of the state’s top authors will speak, answer questions and sign books, which will be available for purchase through the USF St. Petersburg Bookstore.
The unique event was created by faculty and staff in the USF Florida Studies program, which brings together a wide range of disciplines to provide an in-depth exploration for students about the state’s past, present and changing identity. The group wanted to bring a book festival back to the Tampa Bay area.
"We have never done a book festival before, but we have been doing Florida studies for more than 20 years," said Chris Meindl, geography professor and director of the Florida Studies program at USF St. Petersburg. "With the last Tampa Bay Times Festival of Reading happening in 2023, there seemed to be an even greater sense of urgency in hosting something for readers."
The event will feature award-winning authors, including Florida historian Gary Mormino, environmental journalist Cynthia Barnett, and New York Times best-selling author and former Tampa Bay Times reporter Craig Pittman.
Pittman will discuss his latest book, “Welcome to Florida,” which was published in March and offers readers a humorous and in-depth look at the nation's fastest-growing state.
"We have 900 new people a day moving into Florida, and most of them have no idea what they've gotten themselves into," Pittman said. “With this book, I tried to clue them in on a few important things, such as the fact that we have more nudist resorts than any other state."
Other fascinating Florida-related topics and authors at the festival include:
- Andrew C. Huse, a USF librarian known for his expertise in the Cuban sandwich, will talk about Florida's defining foods.
- Cynthia Barnett will reference her 2021 book, "The Sound of the Sea: Seashells and the Fate of Oceans," which touches on the climate and environment in Florida.
- Gary Mormino will have a conversation with former Florida Studies program graduate and fellow author Deb Carson about the Florida learning experience.
- Julie Buckner Armstrong and Thomas Hallock, both professors of English at USF, will discuss Florida teaching and writing reflections.
- Taylor Hagood will talk about his biography of well-known Florida writer Theodore Pratt.
- Kim Love, a 7th-generation Floridian, will discuss why he believes the state is not for sissies.
- Roy Gardner, an expert in wetland law and policy, will discuss his December 2024 book, "Waters of the United States: POTUS, SCOTUS, WOTUS, and the Politics of a National Resource."
- Chris Meindl will discuss his book, "Florida Springs: From Geography to Politics," and close the event with questions from the audience.
"Hopefully, we will have a successful event this year and be able to expand the book festival each year moving forward," Meindl said.
You can learn more about this year's speakers and pre-register for the festival here. There will be a lunch break and a food truck available in the parking lot. The event is free and open to the public.