The Eastern Shore Writers Association (ESWA) will host its first-ever Holiday Book Festival on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cult Classic Brewery, 1169 Shopping Center Rd., just off U.S. 50. The event brings together more than 30 authors from across Delmarva for book sales, signings, readings, and giveaways—plus on-site gift-wrapping for holiday shoppers.
Now in its 40th year, ESWA is best known for its Bay to Ocean Writers Conference each March and the annual Bay to Ocean literary journal. “We wanted to add something new that serves writers and invites the public in,” said festival coordinator Brent Lewis. “Book festivals can feel stuffy; this one is meant to be fun.”
In addition to ESWA’s own Bay to Ocean Review, literary tables will include the Baltimore Review and Poetry X Hunger, a nonprofit poetry initiative that raises funds to combat food insecurity. The author lineup spans genres—poetry, children’s books, history, and fiction—reflecting the region’s wide-ranging literary community.
Lewis said the choice of venue was deliberate. Cult Classic is a brewery, restaurant, bar, and performance space known for concerts, comedy, and off-beat community events. It also hosts a regular author series, a popular book club, and a monthly writers’ group. “We leaned into a place that already supports the arts,” Lewis said. “Come for the hospitality—stay to meet writers you know and discover new ones.”
Headlining authors include Jim Duffy, whose Secrets of the Eastern Shore project and six regional history/travel books have a devoted following; David Healey of Chesapeake City, author of some 20 titles including Civil War and World War II thrillers and essays; and inspirational novelist Amy Schler. For several emerging writers, Lewis noted, the festival will mark their first chance to meet readers face-to-face.
With brick-and-mortar bookstores dwindling in many Shore towns, organizers see the festival as a practical boost. “Authors have fewer places to share their work,” Lewis said. “This creates a lively, local option—and books make great gifts.”
The ESWA Holiday Book Festival is open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy Cult Classic’s food and beverages while browsing signed titles from Delmarva writers.
For media inquiries or to schedule interviews, contact Brent Lewis at 410-310-8216 or [email protected].
More information: ESWA (easternshorewriters.org) and Cult Classic Brewery (cultclassicbrewing.com).
The Spy recently interviewed Brent Lewis about the Holiday Book Festival.
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