Inaugural Summerville Book Festival Is One For the Books
Main Street Reads With Help From the Town Hosts First Annual Event for Authors & Book Lovers
Jeff Walker, Entertainment Writer / Book Review
The inaugural Summerville Book Festival (Feb 15th) sponsored by Main Street Reads is in the books (pun intended). Overcast skies and the threat of precipitation didn't damper the mood of all who took part in the all day event that took place in the heart of downtown Summerville. 
More than two dozen local and regional writers covering varied genres entertained hundreds of bibliophiles throughout the day, whether on stage at Hutchinson Square, Timrod Library, or the Flowertown Players Theatre. Avid readers of suspense, fantasy, history, romance, travel, and children stories got opportunities to meet the authors, partake in question and answers sessions, purchase books, and even have them signed.
Earlier in the day, aspiring playwrights and film writers were invited to take part in a studio workshop centered around writing for stage and screen, hosted by husband and wife team Thomas and Judy Heath as well as Brad Erickson an owner and host of South Porch Artists Residency in Summerville. It's safe to say, that nearly every category of writing was on display for those who attended. 
Among the veteran authors taking part in the first ever Summerville Book Festival was former ESPN.com panelist, as well as Emmy-award winning journalist and the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Kate Fagan, author of the 'The Three Lives of Cate Kay', part of her bestselling book trilogy. Dorothy McFalls author of the Moonlight Dragon Duology took part in the 'Fab Fantasy' panel, as did Winnifred 'Winnie' Tataw, bestselling author of her debut series 'The Gods’ Scion'.
Contemporary romance novelist and president of the Lowcountry Romance Writers Elaine Reed, spent they day talking to visitors from her booth located at Hutchinson Square, touting her latest novel 'Take A Chance on Me'. Reed presented on the well-attended Kiss & Tell Romance panel inside Flowertown Players Theatre. 
Also taking part in the theatre panels was seasoned low country writer Stacy Willingham who moderated the thriller series. A New York Times, USA Today and internationally bestselling author of 'A Flicker in the Dark', 'All the Dangerous Things', and 'Only If You’re Lucky'. Willingham was joined on stage by Yasmin Angoe, a celebrated writer who gained recognition with 'Her Name Is Knight', the first of four psychological suspense novels. Angoe's latest award winning book is 'Not What She Seems'.
Rounding out the thriller panel included veteran national award winning author Penny Goetjen. The author of seven intriging murder mysteries, Goetjen's latest 'Deadly Ripples' is her first novel to have the storyline centered in Charleston SC. Rounding out Willingham's panel was newcomer Connie Froman Davis, a Summerville native who has attracted literary praise with her debut release 'Death Writes Itself'. I highly recommend all the authors if you're a fan of murder, mystery, and suspense. 
Throughout the day several authors took the Hutchinson Square stage offering up their latest works including Jewel Sweeney who read stories from her children's books. Sweeney's most recent adult title is the popular 'Beach Days'. A half dozen writers of children's books joined in, some who've written for years, as well as newcomers Price Sigal making her debut with the adorable 'Mary Goop and The Magic Words', about a young girl who unfortunately has no manners.
Local attorneys Kristen Ness and Caroline Cleveland each spoke regarding their first novels. Ness’s 'At Loggerheads' is a thrilling debut novel intertwined with mystery, nature, romance, and betrayal, with Cleveland's 'When Cicadas Cry', a gripping story surrounding secrets, lies, and murder in a rural SC town. Both are excellent reads.
With more than 20 novels to her credit including the international bestseller and critically acclaimed 'Under the Magnolias' as well as her bestseller 'Indigo Isle', the ever engaging T.I. Lowe shared snippets from her latest romance novel 'Lowcountry Lost'. Fellow contemporary romance novelist Rhonda McKnight took part in the stage and panel series talking about her debut 'The Thing About Home' alongside her latest 'Bitter and Sweet', a heartwarming and generational family tale.
Tim Lowry, award-winning storyteller and author emceed several of the Hutchinson Stage proceedings. Tim's book 'Southern Fried Circus' memoirs of a southern showman ripe with colorful characters, touching tributes, and hilarious asides will make you laugh out loud. He also lead the Summerville Walking Tour which included history of the famed Timrod Library.
New York Times’ bestselling author and a master of horror Grady Hendrix, was the keynote speaker closing out the Summerville Book Festival. A fan favorite and the owner of a bazillion paper books, Hendrix celebrated the release of his latest novel 'Witchcraft for Wayward Girls'. A winner of the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in Nonfiction, Hendrix' books has sold over two million copies and been translated in over 20 languages. 
Flowertown vendors included A Wild Hare makers of delightful porch leaners, Casco's Creations designers of handcrafted scented gifts, The Crafty M aka Melissa Haas known for creating sweet cotton baskets and decorative hand towels, and Spellbound Metaphysical & Wellness talking about self care products, services and and supplies.
Several food trucks joined in offering up Mexican fare, as well DMW's Country Fried Kitchen serving up everyday comfort foods such as a Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich, a zesty Jalapeno Popper Burger, and their signature Dean's Meaner Wieners. Check them out at https://www.facebook.com/Charlestonmobilefoodcart/
The first Summerville Book Festival was a resounding success, with authors sharing their stories, Main Street Reads and Evening Post Publishing providing books for sale. Writers manned their own booths, with several other local Summerville businesses making it a fun-filled family outing. Despite overcast skies the day was enjoyed by book readers of all ages.
With 2025 being the inaugural event, and attendance as well as spirits flying high, it's a safe bet Shari Stauch, owner of Main Street Reads in downtown Summerville will host another Summerville Book Festival next year and the event will only growing even bigger. Her intimate shop at 115 S. Main St. is the quintessential definition of a small town book store dedicated to promoting local authors, hosting book clubs, and featuring story-times.
Shari did have support from the town of Summerville with DREAM, Flowertown Players, Timrod Library, and the Journal Scene newspaper. Overall it was a all out community effort. To keep up on all Shari offers through Main Street Reads and a very busy special events calendar visit her website at https://mainstreetreads.com/
For more on some of featured local authors in this years Summerville Book Festival visit their respective websites below. Among those listed are writers of fantasy, suspense, romance and pop culture. Reading opens your mind to a world of possibilities and adventures.
https://www.stacywillingham.com/
https://carolineclevelandauthor.com/
