LINCOLNVILLE — Twenty-six well known and under-represented Maine authors are scheduled to meet the public for the annual Beyond The Sea Book Festival this Saturday, July 22, at 10:30 a.m.

“People who come to Maine are often well aware of the popular authors because you see their books everywhere, but this Festival really showcases the gems of books that don’t get as much publicity,” said owner, Nanette H. Gionfriddo, who has previously produced the Belfast Bound Book Festival in  2011 and 2012  and the Beyond the Sea Book Festival at Lincolnville Beach in the last three years.

“We’re going to have more than two dozen authors all over the state come here this day and their talent is amazing,” she said. “I try to have a complete range of genres every year including Children’s, Middle Grade and Young Adult, fiction, nonfiction, memoir, political, mysteries, cookbooks and more.”

Gionfriddo tries to read nearly every author she carefully selects to be represented in her bookshop, which offers both new and used books.  She attempts to research each one, by discussing them with the author, or publisher, and accessing readers’ reviews. From best-selling Maine authors to self-published authors with unusual backgrounds, she said,  “I love giving these folks a place to meet the public, talk about their unique subjects and do some signings.”

Gionfriddo said she was most impressed with two books she recently read whose authors will be in attendance: Richard Alexander Otto's book, The Paradox of our National Security Complex: How Secrecy and Security Diminish Our Liberty and Threaten Our Democratic Republic and Jake Morrel’s Hardscabble Lodge, about his experiences as a bush pilot in Maine.

Over the last couple of years, Beyond The Sea has expanded into a unique Maine-made gift shop as well, including a new café. Beyond the sweets and coffee, she also offers to-go, take home and eat-in savory “comfort food” dishes, such as hot meatball subs, chili macaroni and cheese, barbecue franks and beans, as well as soups, chowders and stews. In the cold case, she also offers pasta salads, egg salad and tuna containers, salads as well as side dishes, authentic Italian subs

“You can come for part of the day or the whole day and we’ll have all kinds of food and drinks, so you won’t have to go anywhere,” she said.

 Maine authors are scheduled in two different groups for two hour signings at 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. and 12:45-2:45 p.m. at 2526 Atlantic Highway (Route 1), Lincolnville Beach.

To see a list of who is participating, including a synopsis of each book and biography for each author visit: 2017 Book Festival

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com