Meet more than 30 of Maine’s best writers, adult and children’s authors, including international, national and State award winners at Books in Boothbay on Saturday, July 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Boothbay Railway Village. Purchase new titles for your collection, chat personally with your favorite Maine authors, help solve a murder mystery staged by Sisters in Crime New England and take Reginald’s History Hunt around the Museum. Admission to the book fair is free.

This year’s authors include favorites like Paul Doiron and Lea Wait alongside emerging authors such as Charlene D’Avanzo. D’Avano’s first work “Cold Blood Hot Sea” takes inspiration from her career as a Marine Ecologist and has landed her the 2015 Mystery Writers of America’s McCloy award for new authors.

Donn Fendler will always be known as “the little boy who was lost on Katahdin.” In 1939, Donn, just 12 years old, was lost on Maine’s tallest mountain and in the surrounding wilderness for nine days. His survival story was news across the whole country and was shared with young readers in the classic book “Lost on a Mountain in Maine.” Donn’s story was retold in the 2011 graphic novel, “Lost Trail: Nine Days Alone in the Wilderness,” co-authored with Lynn Plourde and illustrated by Ben Bishop. “Lost Trail” was both a Maine Student Book Award winner and Maine Literary Award winner. This month marks the 77th anniversary of Fendler’s “Maine miracle,” in honor of the anniversary both Fendler and author Lynn Plourde will be at this year’s Books in Boothbay.

The book, “Reginald the Railway Rat,” was born at Books in Boothbay. At the 2015 event, Paige Pendleton and Thomas Block offered a workshop for children on how books are created. For that workshop they developed a character named Reginald who lived at the Boothbay Railway Village. The children helped create storyboards and illustrations of Reggie as part of the session.  Inspired by how well-received the concept was and by their mutual affection for the Museum they pitched the idea to the Museum’s staff and it was published in December of 2015. The book is dedicated to Sharon Pulkkinen, the long-time organizer of Books in Boothbay, who made the invitation to the team to offer the workshop. Both Pendelton and Block will be available for book signings this year. A free scavenger hunt for children has been developed by the Museum and offers an adventure through the many exhibits guided by that special rat. Guests can pick up Reginald’s History Hunt at Freeport Station during their visit.

A new event this year is a Murder in the Old Railway Chapel staged by the Sisters in Crime of New England. This murder mystery is complete with staged crime scene featuring some of the top mystery writers in New England, for the public to view and try their hand at solving. One attendee who correctly solves the mystery will be awarded a $50 gift certificate to Sherman's Books. 

Books in Boothbay is a partnership benefiting both the Boothbay Railway Village and the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library. The event is made possible through support provided by the Boothbay Harbor Restaurant Group (Boathouse Bistro, Cod’s Head BBQ and Mine Oyster). Admission to the book fair and literary activities including the murder mystery are free.  For more information, including a list of participating authors, visit the event blog at www.booksinboothbay.blogspot.com. 

For those who would also like to visit the Museum exhibits and enjoy a steam train ride, admission can be purchased onsite for $12 adults, $10 seniors and $6 children. Museum members and children under 3 are free. The Boothbay Railway Village is located at 586 Wiscasset Road, Route 27 in Boothbay.  For more information about the Museum call 207-633-4727 or visit www.railwayvillage.org.