Amy Tan Headlines Sarasota's 2025 'Off the Page' Literary Festival
Image: Courtesy Photo
Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources' "Off the Page" literary festival returns next month—and the line-up of author speakers has something for everyone.
This year's headliner is Amy Tan, author of seven New York Times best-selling books, including The Joy Luck Club and The Kitchen God’s Wife, who's known for exploring family, identity and the immigrant experience through her work. Tan's latest book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles, which debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times and Indie bestseller lists and digs into Tan's love of science and art through nature journal sketches and personal reflections on birdwatching. She'll speak at Riverview Performing Arts Center on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.
Here are the other authors who are slated to speak throughout the Off the Page event, which runs through the entire month of November and takes place at all 10 Sarasota County locations as well as Ringling College of Art and Design.
Lucy H. Hedrick
Nov. 3 at 2 p.m.
Gulf Gate Library
Hedrick's new novel Six Weeks in Reno, was published this year. It's about a woman who leaves a loveless marriage and heads to Depression-era Reno, where women from across the country move for six weeks—just long enough to secure an uncontested divorce, a option they don't have in their home states.
Jack E. Davis
Nov. 6, 2 p.m.
North Port Library
The Pulitzer Prize-winning environmental historian's work on the Gulf and the bald eagle has received national acclaim.
Sam Kean
Nov. 10, 6 p.m.
Gulf Gate Library
King's new book, Dinner With King Tut: How Rogue Archaeologists Are Re-creating the Sights, Sounds, Smells, and Tastes of Lost Civilizations, was named one of the Boston Globe's best books of the summer
Lisa Daily
Nov. 11, 7 p.m.
Ringling College of Art and Design
Romance author Daily writes self-described "beach read romances" and dating advice books. She's appeared in media outlets ranging from from Glamour to MTV to Entertainment Tonight and more.
Robert K. Wittman
Nov. 12, 3 p.m.
William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Wittman established the FBI's Art Crimes Team and shares stories of major theft recoveries in Priceless, released in 2024.
G.L. Penderson and J.M. Naughton
Nov. 13, 2 p.m.
Osprey Library
Pedersen and Naughton write about real women often overlooked by history; they also created the Historic Moonlight Cemetery Tours of Woodlawn Cemetery and Weekend History Stroll series to places of historic interest across Palm Beach County.
Isaac Eger
Nov. 13, 6 p.m.
Selby Library
Eger, a Sarasota Magazine contributing author, celebrates Florida's ranching legacy in The Great Florida Cattle Drive (which began as a story in this magazine).
Stan Tekiela
Nov. 14, 1 p.m.
William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Tekiela has written more than 200 field guides and nature books, including Birds of Florida and the children's book Whose Baby Butt?
Chris Bohjalian
Nov. 15, 3 p.m.
Selby Library
Bohjalian will discuss his novels, including Midwives and The Flight Attendant, which became a HBO Max series starring Kaley Cuoco.
Janet and Alex Evanovich
Nov. 19, 3 p.m.
Shannon Staub Public Library
Janet Evanovich, author of the bestselling Stephanie Plum mystery series, and her daughter, YA writer Alex Evanovich (Evil Villains International League), recently collaborated on a graphic novel called Troublemaker. They'll take the stage together to share stories and writing tips.
Annabelle Tometich
Nov. 18, 2 p.m.
Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Tometich's The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony was named among the best books of 2024 by The Washington Post and NPR
Fiona Davis
Nov. 20, 6 p.m.
William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Davis writes historical fiction set in an iconic New York City buildings, including The Magnolia Palace, The Address and The Lions of Fifth Avenue, a Good Morning America book club pick.
Workshops and More
Other happenings throughout the month include a horror author panel with the Southwest Florida chapter of the Horror Writers Association; a family day with author and illustrator Ben Clanton; a publishing day at Ringling College of Art and Design, writing workshops for teens, a rhythm and rhyme workshop, and a poetry workshop.
