The inaugural Bainbridge Book Festival will take place Oct. 4-5 at various downtown Winslow venues and along the Eagle Harbor waterfront.

The festival aims to be a vibrant celebration of literature and community, a news release states. It will feature readings and panel discussions by well-known authors from the Pacific Northwest and across the United States, spanning various genres.

“Bainbridge Island is home to many authors and poets, and has an outsized cultural scene for its relatively small size,” said Nancy Goll, founder and co-president of the festival. “We’re excited to add a book festival to the mix and create another way for attendees to connect and build community.”

The festival was inspired, in part, by the Printers Row Lit Fest in Chicago. Goll, originally from Chicago and an avid reader, moved to BI in 2009 and realized it would be the perfect setting for a similar event, per the release. She discussed the idea with Jane Danielson, owner of Eagle Harbor Book Co., a local bookstore for over 50 years.

A launch party Oct. 4 from 6-8 p.m. at Stan Pocock Legacy Rowing Center will kick off the event with food and drinks.

Oct. 5 there will be author readings, signings and Q&A sessions from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the BI Senior/Community Center and rowing center. Poetry will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the BI Museum of Art. A Wrap Party from 4:30-7 p.m. will conclude the event.