Saturday, March 28, 2026
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bluffton Branch Library
Join us for a day devoted to celebrating Beaufort County’s talented authors! Meet local creators as they showcase their work, connect with the community, and offer books for sale. Enjoy engaging panel discussions, hands-on writing sessions, one-on-one mentoring, and more—all in a welcoming, family-friendly setting. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover new voices, support local talent, and celebrate the stories that make Beaufort County unique.
EVENT SCHEDULE
11 a.m. – Pen & Palmetto event begins
11 - 11:30 a.m. – Book sales, writing prompt workshops, and one-on-one mentorship happenings begin
11:30 - 12:30 p.m. – Getting Started with Writing panel begins
12:30 - 1:00 p.m. – Book sales, writing prompt workshops, and one-on-one mentorship happenings continue
1 - 2 p.m. – Publishing 101 panel begins
2 p.m. – Pen & Palmetto event concludes
LOCAL AUTHOR LINEUP
Coming soon!
FAQs
Does it cost anything to attend? The event is free and open to the public. If you are a local Beaufort County author and are interested in having a designated space to sell your books, we kindly ask for a $10 donation to secure your spot.
​
I want to sign up as an author and sell my books. How do I do that? We kindly ask for a $10 donation to the Beaufort County Library to secure your spot and allow for book sales in accordance with our meeting room policy. Please visit one of our branches to fill out an Author Sign-Up Form or print it here and submit your cash or check donation. Checks can be made out to Beaufort County Library. Spots are limited, so sign up today! The deadline to submit the Author Sign-Up Form is January 15, 2026. Update October 24, 2025: We are currently accepting applications for authors of children’s and teen books. Authors of books for adults are welcome to join the waitlist by submitting their application to any library service desk. No payment is required to join the waitlist. We will notify you if more spots become available.
​​
I’m self-published. Can I still participate? Yes! Both traditional and self-published authors are welcome to participate in this event.
​
How much space do I have for selling my books? Each author who applies to sell their books will have a designated space, including one 6-foot table and two chairs.
​
I want to sell my books using my Square/Venmo/etc. Is that possible? Sure! While we cannot guarantee access to an electric outlet at each author’s designated space, you will have access to our public WiFi.
​
Am I allowed to sell other swag related to my books? We kindly ask that authors only sell books at their designated space in the library. If you have additional items you would like to offer the public as free giveaways, that is permitted.
​
What else is happening besides book sales? We’re glad you asked! In addition to local Beaufort County authors showcasing their works and selling their books, the event also features writing sessions, one-on-one mentorship opportunities, and panels. Explore the full Pen & Palmetto event schedule here.
​
Where can I find a lineup of the authors attending? As the event gets closer, you can find a complete author lineup here.
​
I’m not an author, but I want to attend this event. Am I allowed? Yes! This event is designed to bring local authors and readers together!