Ringling College of Art and Design’s Creative Writing program will collaborate again this year with the Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources for the 2024 Off the Page literary celebration, which launched today, Nov. 1.
Interim Department Head for Creative Writing Ryan Van Cleave is part of the small team of organizers for the event. He and Creative Writing faculty Sylvia Whitman, Rick Dakan, and Glenn Schudel are conducting events. Two groups of Creative Writing majors are running teen writing workshops. Ringling College General Counsel Elena Paul is doing an even and Illustration faculty Gary Barker will also host an event.
This year’s event promises to be bigger than ever, featuring bestselling authors, writing workshops, book signings, and special outreach events at all 10 county library branches. All events are free and open to the public.
Notable additions include international bestselling suspense novelist Lisa Unger, who will speak at 2 pm on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice Library, and John Fowler, author of A Forest in the Clouds, who will present at 3 pm on Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Gulf Gate Library.
“We are so excited to welcome Lisa Unger, the queen of psychological suspense, and John Fowler, who offers the only first-person account of what happened to Dian Fossey,” said Dr. Renée Di Pilato, Director of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources. “This year’s program brings together incredible talent from a variety of literary genres, offering something for everyone.”
2024 Off the Page Featured Authors:
- Soman Chainani, Thursday, Nov. 7, 6 pm at Shannon Staub Library
- Bestselling author of The School for Good & Evil series, now a Netflix film.
- Amor Towles, Friday, Nov. 8, 7 pm at Venice Performing Arts Center
- Bestselling author of A Gentleman in Moscow and Rules of Civility.
- Chef Edward Lee, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 6 pm at Shannon Staub Library
- Celebrity chef and James Beard Award-winning author of Buttermilk Graffiti.
- Oliver James, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 3 pm at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library and Wednesday, Nov. 13, 6 pm at Fruitville Library
- Social media influencer and motivational speaker.
- Rebecca Renner, Thursday, Nov. 14, 6 pm at Selby Library
- National Geographic writer and author of Gator Country.
- Curtis Sittenfeld, Saturday, Nov. 16, 3 pm at Selby Library
- Bestselling author of Prep, Eligible, and Romantic Comedy.
- Lisa Unger, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2 pm at William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice Library
- New York Times bestselling suspense novelist of over 20 novels, including Last Girl Ghosted.
- John Fowler, Thursday, Nov. 21, 3 pm at Gulf Gate Library
- Author of A Forest in the Clouds, a riveting memoir about his time spent working with Dian Fossey and mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
Family Day Event:
Saturday, Nov. 2, 10 am-1 pm at Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library. Bestselling children’s author Jarod Rosello and award-winning illustrator David C. Gardner will host a fun-filled day with story time, crafts, food trucks, and more.
The Off the Page celebration fosters connections within Sarasota’s literary and arts community by spotlighting a diverse range of authors and creative expressions. The event is made possible by the Friends of the Venice Library.
“We proud to sponsor Off the Page again this year,” said Janet Knudsen, president of The Friends of the Venice Library. “It’s a pleasure to help Sarasota County readers hear their favorite authors right in their neighborhood libraries.”
For updates and more information, visit SarasotaCountyLibraries.org/OffThePage or call 311 or 941-861-1110.
