by Paula Gail Benson

Summerville Book Festival–Main Street Reads

At the end of February, I journeyed to Summerville, South Carolina, which is a growing metropolis of about 53,000 people located a little more than 20 miles from Charleston. I went there for the 2^nd annual Book Festival sponsored by Main Street Reads, an independent bookstore located in the center of the historic area. Main Street Reads also was celebrating its 7^th anniversary.

The Festival was well organized, presented a large variety of books and authors to the public, and had a lot of fun events. I commend the bookstore for all its efforts. If you check out its website, you’ll notice that it encourages book clubs and writing groups. Several of the authors on the panels I saw had begun with a Main Street Reads writing group and that led to their getting their work published.

When I arrived in Summerville, I wondered if I would find a park. Vehicles seemed to have taken every possible space around the square and side roads. Finally, I slid into a vacant one about a block and a half from the bookstore. I walked along Main Street, noting the restaurants and shops I would like to visit. Tents were set up in the center of the square. Later, when I had a chance to walk past them, I saw they had book and craft exhibits for all ages. You could hear reading over a loudspeaker.

The bookstore itself was a narrow building tucked among the other businesses. It was well stocked with books but also featured items that would enchant literature fans including totes, clutch bags designed to resemble books, bookmarks, pens, games, and puzzles. While some festival events were free, others required general admission or a special ticket. I had purchased my tickets online for two panel presentations that would be held consecutively. I got directions from the bookstore for the venue.

Just half a block away, the Flowertown Players Theatre had a makeshift bookstore at its entrance and provided the stage for the panels. Summerville is known as “Flowertown in the Pines” for its beautiful floral displays and flower festival. The theatre also is named for James F. Dean, a local resident with a theatre degree, who designed the theatre’s interior.

First, I attended the Kiss and Tell panel with romance authors Savannah Reed, Robin Hillyer-Miles, Catherine Mann, Elaine Reed, Rebecca Wrights, Addie Bealer, and Marissa Hale, who moderated. In addition to featuring writing that ranged from sweet to steamy, this panel’s authors included those with significant collections of work like Catherine Mann and Elaine Reed and those making their debuts like Robin Hillyer-Miles and Addie Bealer.

The second panel, Fabulous Fantasy, had Dorothy McFalls as moderator and Yasmin Angoe, A.F. Winter, E.M. Etheridge, Denise Lee, Allen Lyle, and Crystal Michel. Each of these authors approached world building and character development from unique perspectives. The diversity in their work was fascinating. An added feature was that every ticket holder got an advance copy of Yasmin Angoe’s young adult novel She Drinks the Light.

During the Festival, workers, volunteers, and authors passed out Mardi Gras beads. At the conclusion of the Festival, the person who had the most beads would win a $50 gift certificate to the bookstore.

Everyone had a great time. If you’re in the area or can get there for next year’s Festival, I encourage you to do so. Also, if you are an author nearby, see if you can get on the bookstore’s event schedule. They are very accommodating.