The Southwest Florida Reading Festival is the area's premier literary event! This free, annual festival incites a passion for reading. The Lee County Library System presents the Festival to emphasize the importance of reading and literacy. The Festival’s allure is the annual line-up of more than two dozen nationally acclaimed best-selling authors for all reading interests. The festival has hosted literary celebrities like David Baldacci, Sandra Brown, Sue Monk Kidd, Erik Larson, Nelson DeMille, James Grippando, Steve Berry, Michael Palmer, Jeffery Deaver, Linda Fairstein, Dennis Lehane, Carl Hiaasen, R.L. Stein, Jeff Kinney and Ridley Pearson to name a few. The festival was recently named a Top 20 Event in the Southeast United States by the Southeast Tourism Society! The authors give presentations, take questions from the audience and sign books for fans. In addition to the big name authors there are simultaneous programs occurring on nine stages, teen and children’s arts and craft activities, every child and teen will receive a new book of their choice, the Reading Rocks! Teen Battle of the Bands finals will take place, the Lee County Teachers of English will award the 2016 Aspiring Author Awards, there will be e-library demonstrations, lots of food vendors and more than 90 Marketplace exhibitors. Thousands of adults, teens and children will celebrate the power of reading and learn about the latest and greatest in books and accessories. You won’t want to miss this exciting and fun day! Complete author information, schedules of activities, dates of partner events and more are available the website below.