USF English professor to discuss William Bartram’s Florida travels, and more, this Sunday

Despite having studied Bartam’s papers for eight years, the talk in Largo will only be 30-45 minutes.

by Ray Roa October 8, 2026October 8, 2026

Thomas Hallock, Ph. D. has studied William Bartram’s papers for eight yers and will discuss them in Largo on Oct. 11.

A radio studio interview photograph by Ray Roa showing Amaris Castillo at WMNF in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 18, 2026. Captured in a close-up shot inside a broadcast booth, Amaris Castillo gestures with her left hand while holding over-ear studio headphones to her right ear and speaking. She features long dark curly hair, red manicured nails, and a dark blue patterned top, set against a studio microphone, wooden wall paneling, and a glass control room window under bright indoor studio lighting.

News & Views

Tampa Bay area author Amaris Castillo grew up in her parents’ bodega, and that’s probably why she was so nice to me

Her Oct. 10 book talk in Tampa is among the best literary events happening locally from Oct. 8-15.

by Gabe Echazabal October 7, 2026October 7, 2026

A historic black-and-white promotional photograph showing an exterior view of the Tampa Theatre in Tampa, Florida c. 1943, where a crowd is gathered for the opening night of '42nd Street.' Courtesy of USF Digital Commons, the wide marquee display reads "14 GREAT STARS", "42ND. STREET", and "200 GORGEOUS GIRLS" above a large illuminated rooftop sign featuring "42nd STREET" with costumed cutouts of performers. Below on the street, a large crowd in 1940s attire gathers around vintage automobiles and a horse-drawn carriage parked alongside the sidewalk in front of Hale Drug Co. and adjacent storefronts.

Arts & Entertainment

Oxford Exchange hosts Tampa Theatre book talk on Sunday

‘Tampa Theatre: A Century of Stories’ is set for release this month.

by Ray Roa September 17, 2026September 17, 2026

A color Kodachrome portrait photograph taken by Carl Van Vechten showing author Zora Neale Hurston on July 18, 1946. Captured in a close-up portrait against a rich red backdrop, Hurston smiles warmly toward the right of the frame, casting a strong shadow behind her. She wears an off-white cream garment adorned with beaded trim at the collar and shoulders, multi-strand beaded necklaces, and a light-colored bonnet tied beneath her chin with an embellished, jewel-toned netted overlay across her dark hair.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa’s Black History Museum hosts Zora Neale Hurston book talk on Monday

‘Their Eyes Were Watching God’ is on the agenda.

by Ray Roa August 27, 2026September 1, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Before St. Pete appearance, poet Arielle Hebert talks queer girlhood, addiction and growing up inside Florida’s fantasy

She’ll discuss ‘Bottom Feeders’ at Tombolo Books on Thursday, Sept. 3.

by Arielle Stevenson August 24, 2026August 24, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Friday talk brings together Tampa authors with vastly different books about infamous Ybor City gangster Charlie Wall

Paul Wilborn and Scott Deitche will discuss after dinner at Centro Asturiano.

by Ray Roa August 11, 2026August 11, 2026

A man wearing a black T-shirt with a red and white graphic sits in a shaded outdoor area, looking directly at the camera with a calm, confident expression. Sunlight filters through greenery in the background.

Arts & Entertainment

P. Djèlí Clark comes to St. Pete for ‘Ring Shout’ paperback release

The book talk is one of many literary events happening in Tampa Bay between Oct. 16-31.

by Maroon Stranger October 9, 2025October 9, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Indian poets and authors discuss feminism and divine journeys in St. Pete next week

Local author Avni Vyas interviews India’s Arundhathi Subramaniam about her latest work at Tombolo Books.

by Jani Burden July 2, 2025July 27, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Tarpon Springs Book Festival among indie bookstore celebrations across Tampa Bay

There are a bunch of indie bookstores in the Bay area, and many celebrate the holiday this weekend.

by Ray Roa April 25, 2025June 5, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Florida Studies Book Festival debuts in St. Petersburg this weekend

It’s inspired, in part, by the uncertain future of the Tampa Bay Times Festival of Reading.

by Sofía García Vargas March 31, 2025July 27, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Week of free readings at St. Pete’s ‘Writers In Paradise’ conference kicks off this weekend

Seating is limited and on a first-come first-serve basis.

by Julia Saad January 16, 2025March 14, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

St. Pete’s poet laureate, Gloria Muñoz, celebrates debut YA novel with courtyard launch event

She’s at Tombolo Books on the first Monday of the new year.

by Ray Roa December 30, 2024May 25, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Before Sunday book talk, Kristen Hare explores the resiliency of Tampa Bay’s beloved historic hotels

Some of the hotels in Hare’s book have survived multiple hurricanes.

by Ray Roa October 16, 2024May 11, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

FAU professor will discuss his Tampa Bay estuary book this month in St. Pete

Gary Mormino moderates the deep dive with Evan Bennett.

by Ray Roa May 15, 2024December 15, 2024

Arts & Entertainment

New poem by Tampa Bay writer Tyler Gillespie finds Florida man seeing God while sitting in traffic

Gillespie celebrates ‘Florida Man: Poems, Revisited’ with book release party on Tuesday.

by Ray Roa and Tyler Gillespie March 5, 2024April 8, 2025

Best of the bay 2026 is here. Check out the Winners And FinalistS!

Tampa Bay literary events

USF English professor to discuss William Bartram’s Florida travels, and more, this Sunday

Tampa Bay area author Amaris Castillo grew up in her parents’ bodega, and that’s probably why she was so nice to me

Oxford Exchange hosts Tampa Theatre book talk on Sunday

Tampa’s Black History Museum hosts Zora Neale Hurston book talk on Monday

Before St. Pete appearance, poet Arielle Hebert talks queer girlhood, addiction and growing up inside Florida’s fantasy

Friday talk brings together Tampa authors with vastly different books about infamous Ybor City gangster Charlie Wall

P. Djèlí Clark comes to St. Pete for ‘Ring Shout’ paperback release

Indian poets and authors discuss feminism and divine journeys in St. Pete next week

Tarpon Springs Book Festival among indie bookstore celebrations across Tampa Bay

Florida Studies Book Festival debuts in St. Petersburg this weekend

Week of free readings at St. Pete’s ‘Writers In Paradise’ conference kicks off this weekend

St. Pete’s poet laureate, Gloria Muñoz, celebrates debut YA novel with courtyard launch event

Before Sunday book talk, Kristen Hare explores the resiliency of Tampa Bay’s beloved historic hotels

FAU professor will discuss his Tampa Bay estuary book this month in St. Pete

New poem by Tampa Bay writer Tyler Gillespie finds Florida man seeing God while sitting in traffic

Celebrate the best!