Independent Bookstore Day (IBD) is a national initiative that started in California and now includes over 400 indie bookstores across the nation. Every year they work with publishers to create special limited edition titles and merchandise and they encourage authors to partner with stores in their area to create a gathering centered around a love of literacy and community.
This year Wild Iris will not only be celebrating local authors but also community organizations and creative artists and of course our block family – CMC, SAW and the Citizen’s Co-op!
Check out this amazing list of authors who will be guest booksellers talking about the books that inspire them:
Lauren Groff, Joe Haldeman, Tom Hart Leela Corman, Sandra Lambert, William Hatfield, Write Handed Poet A. Denèe, and Leanne Lawrence.
We also will have WellFlorida Council, Inc. providing free HIV Testing/ Counseling, live painting with the art of Carrie Martinez, music with Mama Trish, African dance performances with larry d rosalez-lewis and poetry by Mellow Soul Tuesdays.
The list is still growing but currently we know that Gainesville Area NOW, Trans Affairs in Gainesville, Alachua County Humane Society, the Alachua County Library District, and Gainesville Girls Rock Camp will be there to join the festivities.
IBD is also all about the limited edition merchandise – this year our favorites include a vinyl companion to Rad American Women A to Z, a Neil Gaiman coloring book and the cutest wallet with bookstore cats that you’ve ever seen. Our friends at SAW will be hosting a community art wall where can write and draw about your favorite or why you love indies or both!
For more information, visit wildirisbooks.com, email info@wildirisbooks.com or call 352-275-7477. We hope to see you there!