On Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 4 pm, in the library loggia and courtyard, the Johann Fust Library Foundation presented Darrell Hartman, who spoke about his book Battle of Ink and Ice. This beautifully written history follows two threaded dramas during the Gilded Age. It is 1909 – a time when explorers were heroes and newspapers were dropped on doorsteps every morning and every evening.

The book follows two Arctic explorers, Robert Peary and Frederick Cook, and the two newspapers that championed them, the New York Times and the New York Herald.

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On April 10, 2025, at 4 pm, the Live Poets’ Society of Boca Grande, in collaboration with the Johann Fust Library Foundation, presented “Poetry in the Garden.”  Alice Bingham Gorman launched her poetry collection, “Daffodils in December: Poems from an Unexpected Life.” The other poets who read their original work are Simonetta Balzer, Patricia Christakos, George Cochran, Lindsay Major, Bobbie Marquis, Julia Pierce, John Thomas, and Nancy White. Harpist Harpist Christian Bell played before and after the event and during a musical interlude. Music was sponsored by The Carol Stewart Group.

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When Hampton Sides, author of The Wide Wide Sea, came to Boca Grande for Literature in the Courtyard 2025, he was joined in conversation by Tom McGuane. Listening to these two acclaimed literary talents was a memorable event. If you missed it, you can now see why so many people said it was an experience they would not forget. If you were there, enjoy it again. This video was beautifully produced by Rick Montgomery of Island TV. Click to Watch Video

On Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 4 pm, in the library loggia and courtyard, the Johann Fust Library Foundation hosted a panel discussion on the art, craft, and business of publishing a book, how that is changing, and what it means for both readers and writers. 

The panel included editor and author Rosemary Ahern, author and publisher Nan Doyal, and authors Candice Shy Hooper and David Sparks.

Enjoy the event now. Click to watch video

Explore the gallery of photos and videos taken at our literary series events this year. 

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Island Booknotes 2024-2025 is out, and people are enjoying the original writing of local authors and the in-depth articles about the impressive authors featured in this year’s Literary Series. If you have not received your copy, you can view it online or call our office at (941) 964-0211 and request a paper copy.

2024-2025 Island Booknotes (Online Version)

The Johann Fust Library Foundation is proud to be a sponsor of the Lee County Library System’s Virtual Author Series. Join Bestselling author Jodi Picoult as she speaks about her newest novel. Told in intertwining narratives, By Any Other Name is a sweeping tale of ambition, courage, and desire that asks what price each woman is willing to pay to see their work live on—even if it means they will be forgotten.

ONLINE EVENT Wednesday, April 2nd at 7:00 PM EDT
Register now to join the wondrous conversation!  

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Register to Watch Future or Past Author Events