Press Release, Branford Book Festival

Mark your calendar to visit Branford’s Main Street shops and meet local authors during the Branford Book Festival on Saturday, May 6, beginning at 10 a.m. and running until 3 p.m. There will also be some fun activities with authors at Branford’s James Blackstone Memorial Library from 3 to 5 p.m. on that day.

Visitors can tour downtown’s quaint shops and restaurants and chat with local authors — and if so inclined, they can pick up a copy of a signed book to support the work of a local author, or authors.

They event is being organized by Judy Doyle, proprietor of Miss Judy’s Emporium, a former shop on Branford’s Main Street, and Jack Matthews, a local author whose novel Arte Perdida has received rave reviews.

More than 25 authors are signed up to meet readers, and will be set up in the various Main Street shops, ready to discuss their works.

Doyle is currently working on matching authors with the participating shops and mentions that all of the shopkeepers she has spoken with are very enthusiastic about the event. She indicated that several local restaurants will also be offering special menus during the event.

Matthews said that the Book Festival is a “win-win”. He has organized several similar events in the past, and says people are always excited to attend them. It gives them a sense of supporting their community while finding some treasures for themselves.

Connecticut libraries used to hold an annual Connecticut Authors’ Trail, but that was discontinued with the advent of the Covid pandemic. The pandemic was very devastating to authors and shopkeepers, and this event will be a boost for both.

It’s shaping up to be a fun-filled day for both frequent and new visitors to the wonderful shops on Branford’s Main Street. It’s a great opportunity to pick up an author signed book for yourself or for that hard-to-shop-for person.

Among the participating authors are: Jack Matthews, Elsa Kurt, Lisa Franco, Chris Abbott, C J Knapp, Andrea Steele, Frank Jodaitis, Caryn Oresky, Brien Brown, Elaine Stanley Alexander, Robert Claps, Jacqueline Killelea, Sarah Grote, J P Behrens, Rich Crabbe, Ann Nyberg, Anthony DiVerniero, Shannon Prindle, Alisha LaneFields and many more.

Among the participating businesses are: Ashley’s, Allusions, Archie Moore’s, Bespoke, Better Ways CBD, Down-Town Medical, Fired Up, G-Café, Home Restaurant, P.S Stationers, Pinky Nail & Spa, Polished Boutique, Sound Runner, Sweets on Main, Tags on Main, Village Express, and many more.

For more information, go to the Branford Town website or email Judy Doyle at msjudysemporium@yahoo.com