Connecticut Book Festivals Event Coming To Newtown
Founded in May 2024 by Luca DiMatteo and Andrea Petitte, Connecticut Book Festivals (CBF) is an author-run organization that has grown to more than 600 members and associate members dedicated to promoting writers and aspiring writers who live in Connecticut.
Among its members is Neil Randle of Newtown, the author of three novels and a member of the CBF board. Randle’s hometown will be the next to host a new Connecticut Book Festivals event, this fall.
The goals of CBF is to sell books, make friends, and have fun at book fairs, book signings, and workshops organized across the state; provide resources to help members improve their writing skills, and better understand and navigate the complex processes that get a book over the finish line; provide opportunities for authors to sell (and learn how to sell) their finished works in venues of various sizes; and search out and contract resources such as high quality cost-effective podcasts, production facilities, etc, to increase sales and further the careers of members.
CBF caters to authors and aspiring authors of all genres from 8-80 years of age and beyond. CBF events range from 5-100 authors at any one time.
Members do not pay for membership nor to participate in CBF events. The 501(c)(3) organization relies on the generosity of host locations to allow the use of venues at little to no cost. CBF also accepts donations and is looking into sponsorships, grants, and fundraising opportunities that will allow it to expand.
CBF will be at Milford Fair on a Half-Shell Saturday, August 15, 9 am-5 pm, at Milford Green; and authors appear weekly at the Milford Farmers Market, Saturdays from 8:30 am-12:30 pm, at Wasson Field. Writer Sneak Peeks, with unpublished writers invited to present works in progress to an audience for critique, are held regularly in Milford, New Haven, and Norwalk.
Next month, CBF and The Ronald McDonald House Charities will co-host Read For A Reason, a book and vendor fair at East Rock Park in New Haven. On Saturday, September 26, from 11 am until 4 pm, the event will host 70 local authors, craft vendors, and food trucks, while accepting donations of nonperishable items, new toys for up to age 4, and cleaning supplies.
DiMatteo told The Newtown Bee last week that while the author list is full, openings are still available for craft vendors interested in participating in Read For A Reason. The vendor fee is $50; contact DiMatteo at luca@connecticutbookfestivals.com or visit connecticutbookfestivals.com/event-details for additional information or to register.
Then on Saturday, October 17, from 10 am to 3 pm Connecticut Book Festivals will hold a book fair in The Great Room of Newtown Congregational Church, 145 West Street. This will be the first such event CBF will have held in the town.
In speaking with The Bee last week, DiMatteo and Randle said they expect 30-35 authors to participate in the event. Many CBF events also include a collection to assist a local nonprofit; details on what will be done in Newtown are still TBD, the men said.
The author list has not yet been built for Newtown but both men are confident it will fill quickly.
“We’re very fortunate,” DiMatteo said. “We put out a call for authors for an event, and we usually have it filled within ten hours. Then we start a waitlist. We’ve never had to do a second call.”
“These events are always a lot of fun for the authors and the readers,” Randle said.
For more information visit connecticutbookfestivals.com.