‘Mummy Eats a Gummy’ book talk among best literary events happening in Tampa Bay Sept. 4-11

When she became a single mother, Sally Pye wanted to be cheery and fun like Mary Poppins and Mrs. Doubtfire. Instead, she felt herself becoming “overbearing, overstimulated, borderline psycho.”

To stop herself from lashing out, Pye started making up silly songs and stories. The best of those, “Mummy Eats A Gummy,” is now an illustrated children’s book that sold out four months after its exclusive FloridaRAMA release.

Pye and “Mummy” illustrator Kevin Peake share the ups, downs and upsidedowns of their journey in making the book at Wordier than Thou’s next open mic. Ten other open mic participants will have seven minutes each to read, with names chosen at random from a bucket.

Look below to check out some of the best book and literary events happening in Tampa Bay between Aug. 28-Sep. 4. For more (free!) events, check out your local library at hcplc.org/events.

‘Heart Strings’: Book Signing + Convo with Ivy Fairbanks Friday, Sep. 5. 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. $22 ticket. Steamy Lit, 2832 S MacDill Ave. Unit C, Tampa

‘Take Up Space, Y’all’: An Evening with Kelly Coon Saturday, Sep. 6. 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. $7 ticket. Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa

Horror Book Club discussing ‘Girl in the Creek’ by Wendy N. Wagner Sunday, Sep 7. 9 a.m.-10 a.m. No cover. Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg

‘As A Last Resort’: An Evening with Kristin Wollett Sunday, Sep. 7. 3:30 p.m. $7 ticket. Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa

Social Justice Book Club discussing ‘Solito’ by Javier Zamora Monday, Sep 8. 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. No cover. Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg

Oxford Exchange Book Club discussing ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald Monday, Sep. 8. 6:30 p.m. $33 ticket. Oxford Exchange, 420 W Kennedy Blvd. Tampa

‘The Secret Book Society’: An Evening with Madeline Martin Tuesday, Sep 9. 7 p.m.-8 p.m. RSVP requested. Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg

Shut Up & Write: Tales & Tea Wednesday, Sep 10. 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. No cover. Steep Station, 2235 1st Ave. S, Saint Petersburg

‘No Ordinary Bird’: An Evening with Artis Henderson Wednesday, Sep 10. 7 p.m.-8 p.m. RSVP requested. Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg

Crime Travel Book Club discussing ‘King of Ashes’ by S.A. Cosby Thursday, Sep 11. 7 p.m.-8 p.m. No cover. Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg

This article appears in Aug 21-27, 2025.