Books in Boothbay: Maine's Summer Book Fair is the largest single-day literary event in Maine. This free, family-friendly literary event brings Maine authors and book lovers together. Books in Boothbay is an annual celebration of Maine authors, and the Maine literary tradition.
Started by Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library in 2004 as “Books in Bloom” the event was initially held at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. As the event grew larger each year, and a new venue was soon needed. In 2009 Books in Boothbay moved to the Boothbay Railway Village Museum.
Each year an ever-changing lineup of more than thirty Maine authors come to Boothbay to highlight their most recent publications. Authors span all genres: fiction, poetry, nonfiction, adult and children’s authors, and includes international, national and State award winners.
Event partner, Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop hauls in thousands of titles, and facilitates all the book purchases, allowing authors to spend the day signing books and meeting fans. Proceeds from book sales are shared between Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library and the host venue, Railway Village Museum.
The event format changes slightly year to year, sometimes including readings by authors, workshops, or public author receptions. In 2016, the Maine Crime Writers group created a Railway Chapel murder mystery for book fair attendees to solve. The book “Reginald the Railway Rat” was born out of a children’s workshop offered by author/illustrators Paige Pendleton and Thomas Block in 2015.
Admission to Books in Boothbay is always free, and there is something for everyone!
