Four Benicia poets and Benicia Literary Arts members hope to inspire other writers when they speak at this year’s BookFest Solano in Vacaville.

Three, including Benicia’s current poet laureate, will collaborate on one BookFest workshop, and a former poet laureate will encourage her audience to try their hand at poetry — even if they haven’t tried before — the next morning.

Don Peery, Benicia’s poet laureate, will be joined by Frances Jackson and Peter Bray at 11 a.m. Saturday in a workshop called “Three Poets Writing.”

Peery is a board member of Benicia Literary Arts, and his term as poet laureate continues through 2016.

Jackson is the 2015 winner of the Benicia Love Poetry contest who frequently participates in Benicia Literary Arts presentations.

Bray’s eclectic talents include being a handyman and designer as well as a poet and songwriter. He also writes a column for The Herald.

The three will talk about writing techniques and read samples of their writing. The audience may ask questions and participate in the discussion.

Lois Requist, who preceded Peery as poet laureate, will talk at 2 p.m. Sunday in a presentation titled, “Poetry: Where It Was and Where It Is Now,” that includes suggestions about writing poetry. Afterward, those hearing her talk will get a chance to write poetry, and may bring poems they have written to read.

Requist also is president of Benicia Literary Arts. The organization will have a booth at BookFest, and those staffing the booth will provide information about its multiple activities, including its literary salons. Those visiting the booth also may buy books published by Benicia Literary Arts.

“I see this as a real opportunity to let writers and those who enjoy literature know about what we do and how we can be helpful in improving writing skills and getting published,” Requist said.

BookFest Solano is a family-friendly celebration of reading, books, writers and libraries, according to Michalle Shown-Rodriguez, Solano County Library Foundation executive director.

The event is a fundraiser for Solano County literacy programs, and the library foundation will use the occasion to announce winners of its book contest.

Awards will be given for best fiction, best nonfiction and best children’s book written by Solano, Napa and Yolo county authors whose workers were published in 2013-14. A panel of a dozen judges has chosen the winners based on quality of writing, conventions of the genre, editing, layout, characterization, plot, cover, content, originality and presentation.

The event has an exhibit hall of booksellers, publishers, authors and those who can guide writers about book crafting and marketing.

Among the scheduled activities are the April 11 Read and Romp for children, sponsored by First 5 Solano. Admission is $10 for children and free for adults.

Another event is “An Evening with Todd Borg,” a chance to see a program by the award-winning author of a dozen Tahoe-based thriller-mysteries featuring the detective character Owen McKenna.

Borg will talk about his works and sign books April 11 at Epiphany Episcopal Church, at the intersection of Buck and West streets, Vacaville. Admission to his talk is $15 for foundation members and $20 for nonmembers; tickets are available at www.SolanoLibraryFoundation.org.

Most of BookFest Solano will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 11, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 12 at Hampton Inn, 800 Mason St., Vacaville.

“Three Poets Writing” will be at 11 a.m. April 11, and “Poetry: Where It Was and Where It Is Now” will be at 11 a.m. April 12.

Those interested may view the BookFest website, www.BookFestSolano.com. Admission is free except for the two special events.