Literary Festival Launches in Bluffton, South Carolina

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Literary Festival Launches in Bluffton

 

More Than Thirty Authors to Participate in the Inaugural Bluffton Book Festival Which Will Support Literacy and Bookselling Non-Profit Organizations

The Festival Will Be Held on Calhoun Street in Historic Old Town Bluffton on

Saturday, November 19^th with a ticketed event held Friday, November 18th

 

 

(Bluffton, SC – October 18, 2016) – When well-respected publishing industry veteran Rockelle Henderson moved from New York City to Bluffton, she instantly became enamored with the heart of the low country.  Having spent more than 25 years crafting blockbuster marketing campaigns for national bestsellers that include “The Pursuit of Happyness,” “State of Fear;” the Pulitzer prize winning “The Known World,” and others, she traded in her time in the big city for a more relaxed change of pace.  However, two things that she never left, and what never left her, was her love of all things literary; and her continued commitment to support worthwhile causes.  Through her founding of the Bluffton Book Festival, she has found a way to perfectly blend together those two passions. 

The Bluffton Book Festival will spotlight, and bring awareness to local and national literary talent, who range from first time authors to those who are more prolific.  A portion of the proceeds raised during the 2-day event will benefit two non-profit organizations:  The Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc) and The Literacy Center – both of which support literacy, education, reading, authors, bookselling and the publishing community as a whole.  Kicking off the festival will be a VIP fundraiser on the evening of Friday, November 18^th; and then on Saturday, November 19^th, the public is invited to come out from 10:00am to 4:00pm to meet and hear from authors, and purchase signed copies of their books; to bring their children for story time and face painting; and to buy food and wares from local and regional vendors.  Those in attendance will also have the chance to win books, vacations, and other prizes through various raffles. 

Among the literary talent scheduled to appear at the Bluffton Book Festival are International and New York Times bestselling authors Sarah Pekkanen, Denene Millner and Pulitzer Prize journalist Nick Chiles; as well as award-winning authors Stephanie Austin Edwards and William C. Walker.  In addition, autographed books by film and television actors Eriq LaSalle (ER, Coming to America, Under the Dome); and Taraji P. Henson (Empire, Person of Interest, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) will also be available. 

Rockelle Henderson said, “I am excited to bring the Bluffton Book Festival to life.  Books, reading, and all things related to such are near and dear to my heart. With the help of The Literacy Center, thousands of adults and children have been equipped with reading and writing skills; and through the Binc Foundation booksellers are provided with financial support for medical bills, domestic violence situations, and more. Their work help to pass on better futures to the next generation, and it is my honor to work with them.  With participants attending from next door to 3,000 miles away, I’m looking forward to a great event, and meeting as many people as I can.” 

“The Literacy Center is excited to participate in the inaugural Bluffton Book Festival,” said Pam Wall, Executive Director of The Literacy Center.  “We strongly believe that the ability to read opens many doors.  Our Family Literacy 360 program is based on families reading together and the opportunity that provides to make families stronger.  Reading is truly a gift!”

"Binc is honored to be named as a benefactor of the first Bluffton Book Festival," said Executive Director, Pamela French. “The Festival aligns with our mission to strengthen the bookselling community and reinforces the importance of helping local businesses thrive.  As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Binc Foundation and the thousands of booksellers who have been helped we greatly appreciate the support from the Bluffton community.  And sincerely thank Rockelle Henderson for including us in this exciting event." 

For more information about the festival (#blufftonbookfest), including how to become a sponsor or an exhibitor, please visit www.blufftonbookfestival.com; or call 843-707-6409. 

About the Charities

The Binc Foundation

The Binc Foundation provides emergency financial assistance to booksellers in times of natural disaster, as in the cases of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and the 2013 flooding in Colorado. The majority of assistance requests, however, are of a much more individual nature. Whether the need arises from a serious medical expense, domestic violence incident, threat of eviction, essential utility shut-off, or the unexpected loss of household income; Binc works with each bookseller to help get them through the current emergency and return their household to a state of financial equilibrium.

The Literacy Center

Our mission is to strengthen literacy in Beaufort County by providing people with the reading, writing, math and speaking skills to be successful in the community, workplace and family. We are proud to be Beaufort County's only nonprofit adult and family literacy organization, serving more than 600 students a year at eight sites.