Ben Atkinson’s first poetry collection, Spider Lightning explores human nature – with a deep reverence for all things wild. His work has appeared in A.C. PAPA, Cadence, Chelonian Conservation and Biology, Facets, FM Quarterly, Stockpot, and other outlets. A Flagler College assistant professor of natural sciences, his research focuses on the conservation ecology of tortoises and freshwater turtles. Ben has taught Ecopoetics workshops at MOCA and a class for Flagler’s Honors Program.

Atkinson will read his work on Saturday, December 2nd at 12:15 PM in the Main Auditorium F-128.

JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival X, a celebration of Jacksonville Writers Writing Jacksonville, will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 1, 2, and 3, 2023 at FSCJ’s Kent Campus, 3939 Roosevelt Blvd, Jacksonville, FL, 32205. JaxbyJax is grateful to our generous sponsors: FSCJ, Alternate Roots, Mellon Foundation, Ford Foundation, 904WARD, Chamblin’s Bookmine and Uptown Café, Jacksonville Literary Arts Alliance, Bab’s Lab, JaxPsychoGeo, San Marco Books and More, Scribbles, and Brad Kuhn & Associates, LLC.

The JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival wishes to thank Alternate Roots for the generous grant that made this year’s event possible. Here is their mission: “Alternate ROOTS supports the creation and presentation of original art that is rooted in communities of place, tradition or spirit. We are a group of artists and cultural organizers based in the South creating a better world together. As Alternate ROOTS, we call for social and economic justice and are working to dismantle all forms of oppression—everywhere.”

As Jacksonville writers writing Jacksonville, the participants in JaxbyJax epitomize the creation and presentation of original art that is rooted in a community of place, tradition, and spirit – our hometown.

Come celebrate 10 years of JaxbyJax Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd at FSCJ Kent Campus. Go here for details: https://www.jaxbyjax.com/

Jenna Cox grew up in Jacksonville and attends UNF as a first-year grad student. After obtaining her B.A. in English, she decided to persue her master’s degree to watch Jacksonville adapt and the UNF writing program grow–and unlock the stories hidden on the home front. Jenna has been an avid reader and writer since childhood and credits her supportive English teachers and family for her success. In her free time, she can be found exploring various pockets of Jax with friends.

Cox will read her work in the Student Showcase at 3 PM in the Main Auditorium F-128.

JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival X, a celebration of Jacksonville Writers Writing Jacksonville, will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 1, 2, and 3, 2023 at FSCJ’s Kent Campus, 3939 Roosevelt Blvd, Jacksonville, FL, 32205.

JaxbyJax is grateful to our generous sponsors: FSCJ, Alternate Roots, Mellon Foundation, Ford Foundation, 904WARD, Chamblin’s Bookmine and Uptown Café, Jacksonville Literary Arts Alliance, Bab’s Lab, JaxPsychoGeo, San Marco Books and More, Scribbles, and Brad Kuhn & Associates, LLC.

Laura Dill is an award-winning emerging artist and author in Jacksonville. Her Artivist soul is reflected in “The Resilience Project”, a collection of her paintings, photography, poetry, and writing on her journey to heal from PTSD and engage audiences on a wide range of topics including climate change, gun violence, sexual violence, acceptance of others and resilience. Her work has been exhibited in public art displays and is exhibited throughout Jacksonville and St. Augustine. She has been published in 6 anthologies and reached international audiences online and in digital format, and her work is preserved in two university permanent archives.

Dill is scheduled to read her work on Saturday, December 2nd at 11:30 AM in the Art Gallery Auditorium E-112-F.

JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival X, a celebration of Jacksonville Writers Writing Jacksonville, will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 1, 2, and 3, 2023 at FSCJ’s Kent Campus, 3939 Roosevelt Blvd, Jacksonville, FL, 32205.

JaxbyJax is grateful to our generous sponsors: FSCJ, Alternate Roots, Mellon Foundation, Ford Foundation, 904WARD, Chamblin’s Bookmine and Uptown Café, Jacksonville Literary Arts Alliance, Bab’s Lab, JaxPsychoGeo, San Marco Books and More, Scribbles, and Brad Kuhn & Associates, LLC.