Damon Thomas is a sixth-generation Floridian who grew up on the banks of the Suwannee in rural Dixie County, FL. Here he experienced a Southernness that included sea monsters, swamp cabbage, and makeshift graves. Damon writes short “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead”-like pieces that describe how the bookish might pass time in a Southern Gothic setting.

Hear Thomas read his one-of-a-kind stories at the JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the Jessie Ball DuPont Center.

Melissa Gopp-Warner is a creative nonfiction writer exploring human relationships and their intersection with sexual orientation and gender. After graduating from the University of North Florida, she served nine years as senior writer and editor for a DC-based maternal health nonprofit. Her memoir-in-progress follows the evolution of her own identity and was among the top 15% of entries in the 2021 First Pages Prize judged by Lan Samantha Chang, director of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Melissa’s writing has appeared in Yoga Journal, The Writer, Jacksonville Mom, Uncomfortable Revolution, and (a) river rising: Anthology of Women’s Voices.

We are thrilled to welcome Melissa’s new voice to the JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival on Saturday, October 16 at the Jessie Ball DuPont Center.

Come out to the Museum of Science and History (MOSH) on Wednesday evening, September 15th at 7:30 p.m. to watch a short film produced by River of Grass Studios (a/k/a Brad and Darlyn Kuhn) for the #JAX48HFP. Then vote for the audience favorite!

Go to https://www.48hourfilm.com/jacksonville-fl to learn about the 48 Hour Film Project, and the various teams taking part. You can buy tickets for $13.50 there to watch 48 hour films on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights, September 14, 15, and 16.

We hope to see you there!

Kayla Frances Murray is an up-and-coming poetess/writer in NE Florida. She’s working on developing her voice in writing and has been published in Beyond Words Literary Magazine, Plainsongs by Hastings College Press, and Tiny Seed Journal. She presently works as an English Tutor in Jax. 

Come hear this exciting new voice read at the JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the Jessie Ball DuPont Center in downtown Jacksonville. Here is the event guide: https://www.jaxbyjax.com/event