Start 2026 By Investing in Your Author Business: North Florida Book Events to Mark on Your Calendar

The holidays are here, and while you’re wrapping gifts and planning celebrations, there’s one more present you should consider—a gift for your writer’s self. January 2026 brings incredible opportunities for authors and book lovers right here in North Florida, and I’m thrilled to share them with you.

Give Yourself the Gift of Professional Development

Sunshine State Book Festival Writers’ Workshop Intensive

Thursday, January 23, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Best Western Gateway Grand Ballroom, Gainesville, Florida

Before you make those New Year’s resolutions about finishing your manuscript or finally launching your author platform, why not start 2026 by investing in the skills you need to succeed?

This all-day intensive features four 90-minute deep-dive sessions led by subject matter experts who actually practice what they teach. With only 50 seats available, this intimate learning environment ensures you’ll get real, applicable knowledge—not just surface-level overview presentations.

What Makes This Workshop Special?

Registration includes:

Four comprehensive 90-minute sessions
Coffee service starting at 8:00 a.m.
Full lunch
Registration: $80

The morning sessions:

8:30-10:00 a.m. – Enhance Your Prose with Pat Caren (award-winning author and professional editor): Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, learn techniques to capture imagination, create characters that enchant, and deliver stories that keep readers turning pages.
10:30 a.m.-12:00 noon – Indy Publishing Without Pulling Your Hair Out with Richard Gartee (award-winning novelist with decades of publishing experience): Navigate Kindle Direct Publishing and Ingram Spark step-by-step, learning exactly where user errors occur and how to prevent them.

The afternoon sessions:

1:00-2:30 p.m. – Building Your Platform as a Writer with yours truly, Jolene MacFadden: I’ll be sharing practical, no-fluff tactics for growing your audience and boosting your visibility through websites, social media, and more. I’m currently finishing my new book on author platform building, and workshop attendees will receive sample templates from that book to start implementing immediately!
3:00-4:30 p.m. – Marketing Your Books Based on a Business Plan with Vickey Wollan (multi-series author with an MBA in Marketing): Learn how to approach your writing career as a sustainable business with practical marketing tools and strategies.

How to Register

Registration is a two-step process:

Click the “Pay Now” button on the website: https://sunshinestatebookfestival.com/writers-workshop/
After payment, complete the registration form and submit (don’t skip this step!)

Pro tip: Bring a pen and notebook—these sessions are packed with actionable information you’ll want to capture.

Celebrate Reading: Sunshine State Book Festival

Saturday, January 24, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Santa Fe College Fine Arts Hall, Gainesville, Florida

After investing in your craft on Thursday, come celebrate the literary community on Saturday! The Sunshine State Book Festival brings together 100 outstanding authors from across Florida and the nation, representing every genre imaginable.

What Readers Can Expect:

For Book Lovers:

Meet 100+ authors and discover new voices
Purchase books directly from authors
Get your books personalized and signed
Enjoy guest speakers and hourly giveaways for autographed books
Experience the one-woman play “Passion Dey Couldn’t Steal: The Zora Neale Hurston Story” by Pamela D. Marshall

For Families:

Children’s Story Time from 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Interactive activities in the dedicated children’s area
Educational and fun experiences for all ages

Special Events:

Friday, January 23, 7:00-9:00 p.m.: Informal opening night reception at the Best Western Gateway Grand Ballroom—come mingle with authors!
Sunshine State Teen Lit Awards: Middle and high school students can participate in the short story contest to win scholarships

Admission: FREE and open to the public

Note: Author tables sold out within 30 days of the announcement, with a waiting list still active, proof of how beloved this festival has become!

More North Florida Literary Events in Early 2026

JAX Urban Book Festival

January 24, 2026 | Jacksonville, Florida

On the same day as the Sunshine State Book Festival, Jacksonville hosts its own celebration of Black literacy and authors. This free event features author interviews, book signings, networking opportunities, masterclass sessions for aspiring authors, children’s activities with free book giveaways, and a silent auction benefiting DREAMWEEK INC. Learn more at their website or through AALBC.com.

F.R.E.S.H. Book Film Festival

January 29-31, 2026 | Daytona Beach, Florida

Just days later, Daytona Beach presents a unique three-day festival combining books and film. This event offers a distinctive perspective on storytelling across multiple media.

Writers in Paradise

January 17-24, 2026 | St. Petersburg, Florida

For serious writers seeking intensive experience, this eight-day conference at Eckerd College features New York Times #1 bestselling author Michael Connelly as keynote speaker. The conference offers morning workshops, afternoon panels and craft talks, and evening readings with industry professionals including agents from Inkwell Management Literary Agency and editors from W.W. Norton. (Note: This is an application-based conference with deadlines.)

Amelia Island Book Festival

February 28, 2026 | Amelia Island, Florida

Venture to beautiful Amelia Island for this established festival featuring 100+ exhibiting authors, New York Times bestselling author presentations, breakout sessions, the popular “Passport to Literacy” program, and engaging activities designed to connect 1,300+ readers with authors throughout the day.

Why January is the Perfect Time to Invest in Your Writing Career

Let’s be honest, New Year’s resolutions fade by February. But when you commit to professional development by registering for a workshop and marking book festivals on your calendar, you’re making a tangible investment in your growth as an author.

The Sunshine State Book Festival Writers’ Workshop isn’t just another conference. With only 50 seats and four expert-led intensive sessions, you’ll walk away with:

Concrete techniques to improve your craft
Practical knowledge about publishing platforms
Actionable strategies for building your author platform
A solid business plan framework for your writing career
Templates and resources you can implement immediately

And the best part? You’ll do it all while connecting with fellow authors in North Florida’s vibrant literary community.

Your Action Steps

Right now: Visit https://sunshinestatebookfestival.com/writers-workshop/ and register for the Writers’ Workshop Intensive (only 50 spots!)
Mark your calendar: January 24, 2026—bring the family to the Sunshine State Book Festival
Spread the word: Share these events with your writing friends and book-loving family members
Plan ahead: Review the other North Florida literary events and add them to your 2026 calendar

Let’s Make 2026 Your Breakthrough Year

Whether you’re a seasoned author looking to sharpen your skills, a new writer ready to learn the business side of publishing, or a reader who wants to support local authors and discover new favorites, these January events offer something special.

I can’t wait to see you at the Writers’ Workshop on January 23rd, where I’ll be sharing everything I’ve learned about building an authentic, sustainable author platform. And on January 24th, I’ll be wearing my volunteer coordinator hat at the festival, working behind the scenes to make sure readers and authors have an amazing experience.

The holidays are about giving, but sometimes the best gift is the one you give yourself, the gift of growth, learning, and investing in your passion.

What are you waiting for? Those 50 workshop seats won’t last long!

See you in Gainesville!

Have questions about the Sunshine State Book Festival or the Writers’ Workshop? Drop them in the comments below or reach out to me directly. As the Social Media and Publicity Director for the festival, I’m here to help!

For the latest updates, follow the Sunshine State Book Festival on social media and check their website regularly.

Note From the Author

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