Gala event to take place April 11-12, 2015
The Solano County Library Foundation has started a book contest, with entries accepted through Dec. 31, in connection with next year’s BookFest Solano, Michalle Shown-Rodriguez, executive director, said.
The contest will recognize the best fiction, nonfiction and children’s book written by an author from Solano, Napa or Yolo counties and published between 2013 and 2014, Shown-Rodriguez said.
“The contest will showcase the area’s best recent books and inspire other authors to reach the same high standard of excellence,” she said.
The foundation has chosen a panel of 12 judges to examine the contest entries.
The panel is made up of librarians, English teachers, teachers from elementary, secondary and college levels, book designers, publishers, authors, editors, journalists and booksellers, Shown-Rodriguez said.
They will select winners based on such standards as the quality of the writing, conventions of the genre, layout, editing, characterization, plot, cover, content, originality and presentation, she said.
Winners in each category will receive two tickets to the BookFest Solano Saturday Night Gala, where their books will be recognized and certificates will be given, she said.
The books will be on display at the BookFest, and times will be set for authors to meet the public and sell and sign their books.
Each winning author will receive 250 “winner” stickers for their book’s covers, Shown-Rodriguez said.
At least one book-signing event will be arranged at a regional bookseller, and authors will have other opportunities to promote their book, she said.
BookFest Solano will take place April 11-12, 2015, in the Hampton Inn, Vacaville, to celebrate books, authors and reading. Admission is free to the public.
“BookFest Solano celebrates our passion for books, writers and libraries,” Shown-Rodriguez said.
Besides announcing the contest winners, the two-day event has book talks, author appearances, other contests and exhibits.
Next year’s BookFest Solano has “Growing Readers, Growing Writers” as its theme.
Those attending will see an exhibit hall of booksellers, publishers, authors, book-related merchandise and people with book-crafting booths, Shown-Rodriguez said.
“Authors and poets will find an opportunity to meet and interact, improve their skills, gain knowledge and promote their work,” she said.
“Workshops, forums and speakers will celebrate and nurture readers and writers of all ages.”
She said BookFest helps the library foundation raise awareness and money for adult and family literacy programs.
Those interested in BookFest Solano and the book contest may visit the website www.bookfestsolano.com, email bookcontest@bookfestsolano.com or call 707-421-8075.
Those interested in participating in BookFest Solano as a volunteer can join its planning committee, help secure sponsors, share information about area authors and perform other tasks by emailing volunteer@bookfestsolano.com.
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