THOMASTON — Maine Authors Publishing will be hosting the 5th Annual Maine Authors Book Festival on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at a new location—the Thomaston Public Library. 

The festival is open to the public, and admission is free. Parking will be available at the library and nearby (follow parking signs). 

Maine Authors Publishing provides the following description of events for the event. 

Meet more than 100 talented authors from across Maine (complete list available from www.MaineBookFestival.com), spanning a wide range of genres, ready to sign and sell their books. This year’s pirate-themed event (costumes optional!) promises fun for the whole family. Kids will love the treasure hunt and children’s area hosted by The Coastal Children’s Museum, while everyone can enjoy live music from the Shank Painters, and a pirate costume contest at 12:15 (win fun prizes for children and adults). Food will be available for sale from Station 118 as well as ice cream from Stone Fox Farm Creamery. A portion of the proceeds from the book sales and all raffle ticket sales will be donated to The Coastal Children’s Museum and the Thomaston Public Library.

From 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., children’s author Susan Vaughan will present “Piracy and the Coast o’ Maine.” Most pirate adventuring took place in waters far south of Maine, but did you know that long ago there were pirates who sailed Maine waters? Join author Vaughan for a short look at piracy on the coast of Maine, fun creating pirate hats, and a reading of her new book, Stowaways: A Maine Pirate Tale.

From 1:30–2:30 p.m., author Philip C. Baker will present “How to Write a Novel; It’s Easy!” All you need is a “what-if machine.” Merely type in, “What if?” What if a frail old Cuban fisherman hooks a monster fish and battles the natural world to bring the pez to shore? Ding! Pulitzer Prize. What if right and wrong are inverted, morality overturned, while an Italian-American family and the family business are celebrated? Ding, ding! A runaway, best-selling novel, which is then turned into one of the greatest trilogies in film history. All Hemingway and Puzo did was turn on the what-if machine. Baker discusses the simple methods required to write the novel of your dreams. Relying on the learning experience of writing Hunger Hill, Philip brings humorous insights into writing a book, specifically the novel.

From 2:30–3:30 p.m., author Deborah Gould will present “Historical Fiction: A Conversation with Deborah Gould.” What is historical fiction, anyway? What changes it from a dry-as-dust narrative of dates and achievements to an intriguing, breathing work of literature? In other words, what makes it come alive? Let’s talk about the weaving of social history, archival records, and the power of imagination into a novel about the people who came before us.

Local Thomaston restaurant Station 118 will have a customized menu for the event. FMI: www.station118.com. Based out of Searsport, Stone Fox Farm Creamery will have homemade ice cream for purchase. FMI: www.stonefoxfarmcreamery.com.

Shank Painters are a pirate-themed trio based out of Portland, Maine. Featuring accordion, guitar, vocals, banjo, and percussion, their repertoire consists of traditional sea shanties, tavern songs, and originals. FMI: www.shankpainters.com.

Maine Authors Publishing has been bringing local stores, readers, and writers together since 2009. As a cooperative-style publisher, their goal is to support local independent authors throughout the publishing process with affordable services such as editing, design, printing, a trade catalog, distribution, and marketing assistance. Only a percentage of books are accepted under the Maine Authors Publishing imprint after they have been vetted. For more information, visit www.MaineAuthorsPublishing.com.

For more information, visit www.MaineBookFestival.com.