2023 Festival

The 10th annual JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival took place on December 1–2, 2023, at the Kent Campus of Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ). This milestone event celebrated Jacksonville’s vibrant literary community with readings, book signings, and multimedia presentations. The festival featured more than 30 local authors and student writers, a launch and reading from Women Writing for a Change, and a special presentation by Mayor Donna Deegan. With events spread across two days and multiple venues, attendees experienced a dynamic mix of prose, poetry, spoken word, and immersive cultural storytelling.

JaxbyJax X marked a decade of literary excellence in Jacksonville, offering a rich lineup of events and voices across genres and generations.

• Opening Night Readings: Nathaniel Glover kicked off the event with a reading from Striving for Justice, followed by a Q&A and book signing.
• Multimedia Presentation: Willie Evans, Jr. presented The Brown Wonder, a multimedia experience followed by an interactive cultural installation.
• Writer Sessions: Thirty-two local writers shared their work in scheduled readings across multiple venues.
• Student Showcase: Emerging writers from Douglas Anderson, FSCJ, and UNF read their original poetry and prose.
• Anthology Launch: Women Writing for a Change hosted readings and launched their new collection.
• Featured Keynote: Mayor Donna Deegan closed the festival with a reading from her memoir Through Rose-Colored Glasses.