Mission Statement

Books in the Borough is a unique premier literary festival featuring juried book awards of poetry and fiction by contemporary Connecticut and Rhode Island authors to be held in the historic coastal village of Stonington CT yearly on the third Saturday of May. The event will support and complement the Stonington Borough cultural message, encourage youth literacy, promote regional tourism, and facilitate public engagement with authors, their craft, and the rich literary legacy of the area. The inaugural event will occur in 2027, hosted by Books in the Borough, Inc., and its partners, with the generous support of local institutions, merchants, restaurants, and author associations.

Corporation

Books in the Borough, Inc., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable literary organization of area writers and community members dedicated to engaging Connecticut and Rhode Island authors with local and regional audiences by recognizing excellence, providing a promotional platform for selected authors, and promoting youth literacy, simultaneously drawing tourism to the region. The Corporation and its committees include volunteers who are businesspeople, published writers, and members of local organizations committed to the Mission Statement. Venues will include the La Grua Center (event hub), the James Merrill House, and the Stonington Free Library. This annual event will attract patrons to the Borough area, benefiting the community and retail businesses. Books in the Borough will be hosted by the Corporation in tandem with local merchants, organizations, and venue hosts. During a noon ceremony, juried Literary Awards will be announced and presented in the categories of Adult Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Children’s Books, and Poetry. The annual Youth Literacy Library Prize will also be awarded to a Connecticut or Rhode Island public library in support of its literacy programs.