Editor's Letter: A Little Change, A Lot to Look Forward To

You may have noticed this issue looks a little different. After 11 years, I still like changing things up every now and then. This month, we grew to 40 pages and I gave the cover a fresh new look. I hope you like it!

Authors on the River: A Literary Luncheon

Speaking of something new, I am really excited to share an event we have coming up. On Saturday, Oct. 24, East Coast Current is hosting Authors on the River: A Literary Luncheon at The Grille at Riverview in New Smyrna Beach. This is the first time we’ve ever done an event like this, and I’m really looking forward to it.

We’ll have three featured local authors joining us for an afternoon of good food, great stories and some really interesting conversation. Tickets are $35 per person and include lunch, a nonalcoholic beverage, tax and tip. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. so everyone has a little time to mingle and network before lunch is served at noon.

Our three featured authors will speak during lunch, each getting plenty of time to share their story, talk about their work and answer questions. I’ll be your moderator, which should be fun because anyone who knows me knows I have no problem asking questions.

After lunch, we’ll head downstairs to the Reef Bar for a meet and greet. Our featured authors will be there with their books available for purchase and signing, and we’ll also have other local vendors set up for you to browse. You can meet the people behind the stories, shop a little and, of course, grab a cocktail while you’re there.

As I’m writing this, two of our three featured authors have officially committed.

Meet the Featured Local Authors

The first is Shelley Lynch, an incredible wildlife photographer whose work has graced the cover of East Coast Current countless times over the years. She is also just an absolutely wonderful person. Shelley recently released her new book, Exhale, and I’m so excited for her to share more about her journey and have her book available at the event.

Our second featured author is Lee Davis Jr., who recently released Oath of the Osprey. Lee actually mailed me a copy last month, and I’m currently reading it. It has all the makings of a gripping page-turner. There’s murder, mystery, crime, complicated relationships and ties to New Smyrna Beach. What more do you need?

That leaves us with one spot still open.

If you’re a local author and are interested in being considered, please reach out to me. All of my information is right over there in the sidebar on this page. And if you know a local author you think we should know about, send them my way.

We’re only selling 60 tickets for this first luncheon. If you’d like to join us, you can call The Grille at Riverview directly to secure your seat or stop by their location during normal business hours to purchase your ticket in the lobby. They’re located at 101 Flagler Ave., right on the river.

There are so many talented writers, photographers, storytellers and interesting people right here in our community, and I love the idea of creating a place where we can actually sit down together, hear their stories and connect local authors with local readers.

I think we’re going to have a pretty great afternoon. I hope to see you there.