Category Archives: What’s Happening

Celebrations, Darlyn's Events, JaxbyJax, What's Happening

JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival X to Host Mayor Donna Deegan and Former Sheriff Nat Glover

We are pleased to announce the presentation of the JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival X on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; December 1, 2, and 3, 2023. The event will be held at the Kent Campus of FSCJ, 3939 Roosevelt Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205.

This year’s Tenth Anniversary festival will open on Friday night with a reading by former Duval County Sheriff Nat Glover from his book, Striving for Justice: A Black Sheriff in the Deep South, followed by a multi-media presentation of The Brown Wonder by Willie Evans, Jr.

Saturday’s juried celebration will include readings and book signings by poets and writers who were born in Jacksonville, live in the city now, write about Jacksonville, OR use it as a setting for their work. Talented student writers from UNF, FSCJ, and Douglas Anderson School of the Arts will be featured throughout the day in the Student Showcase.

Saturday evening will feature a reading by Mayor Donna Deegan from her book, Through Rose-Colored Glasses: A Marathon from Fear to Love. The Dr. James R. Cobb Student Writer Awards will be presented, as well.

On Sunday, nine concurrent workshops on various writing-related topics will be presented by experts in the genres.

JaxbyJax is grateful to the sponsors of the 2023 festival, which include FSCJ, Alternate ROOTS, Mellon Foundation, Ford Foundation, 904WARD, Delegal & Poindexter P.A., and Chamblin’s Bookmine and Uptown Café.

Brad Kuhn & Associates, Scribbles, and Jacksonville Literary Arts Alliance return as festival producers.

Celebrations, Scribblers Sharing Info, What's Happening

Coming Soon!

Look at that face, that smile, those laughing eyes. Terri Chastain was one of the sweetest, gentlest, most talented women I ever had the gift of knowing. I say “was,” because she has left us, but her incredible talent and genuine love for others still lives in the hearts of those who knew her. And now you can know her, too, because her novel is being published
posthumously by Joan Leggitt of Twisted Road Publications.

Literally days before she passed, Terri got the wonderful news that Birdhouse Jesus had been accepted for publication. I will never forget her joy. It brings me to tears even today, remembering her peace in knowing her dream would come true, even if she would never hold the book in her own hands.

But don’t read her novel because of those details. Read it because it shines a light on a story of a fragile, frightened child who grew into a strong, couragous woman who will inspire us to overcome adversity and grow into the people we are meant to be.

Read more about Terri and the upcoming release of Birdhouse Jesus at https://twistedroadpublications.com/coming-soon-birdhouse-jesus/

Calls for Submissions, JaxbyJax, What's Happening

Have you submitted to JaxbyJax 10?

Submissions are currently being accepted through September 30th to read your work at the 10th annual JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival to be held on Saturday, December 2nd at FSCJ’s Kent Campus.

Click here to apply: https://www.jaxbyjax.com/application

To apply, you must have been born in Jacksonville, live in Jacksonville now, write about Jacksonville, OR use Jacksonville as a setting in your work.

There are now 10 genres included in the application: Fiction, Memoir/Creative Nonfiction, Page Poetry, Spoken Word Poetry, Storytelling, Screenwriting, Playwriting, Songwriting, Rap/Hip Hop Lyricism, and Other (Surprise/Delight us).

NOTE: All submissions must be able to be read or performed within a 15-minute session – NO EXCEPTIONS.

If you have any questions about the application or the application process, please email Darlyn Finch Kuhn at scribbler.finch@gmail.com and include “JaxbyJax application inquiry” in the subject line.

An application fee of $5, $10, $15, $20 OR $25.00, via PayPal to Brad Kuhn & Associates, LLC, is suggested with each application. Please pay the application fee that you are comfortable paying, to help support the festival, but do not let the lack of an application fee stop you from applying. All fees paid will go directly toward festival costs. Student writers should NOT pay any application fee.

The anonymous application committee looks forward to considering your application.