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Writing in Tampa Bay

Writing in Tampa Bay

The writing life on this stretch of coast: the rooms worth a morning, the literary history buried in these towns, how a local author gets onto a shelf, and the stories sitting in people’s houses.

No pitch. No pressure.

TL;DR: This hub is the writing life in Tampa Bay, for local writers and anyone here with a book in them. It’s laid out in chapters: places to write, the literary history most people never hear, getting your book into local stores, every bookstore within thirty miles, and the public libraries and museums in range. It closes with the stories worth writing here and how to work with me in person wherever you are in the area.

This hub is laid out in chapters, from places to write and the literary history to bookstores, libraries, museums and the stories worth writing here. If you’re in Tampa Bay and have a book in you, see my ghostwriting services or start smaller with the Book Discovery Intensive.

The hub chapters and what each one answers
Chapter What it answers
1. Places to write Three libraries worth a morning, and where to write in Safety Harbor
2. The literary history The men paid to read novels aloud in Tampa, Kerouac's last address and more
3. Getting your book out locally How to reach local bookstores, library shelves, signings and local media
4. Every bookstore within thirty miles Profiles of 24 bookstores from Clearwater and Largo to St. Petersburg and Tampa
5. Public libraries in range Library branches, where to write town by town, book clubs and family history research
6. Museums What each history museum and archive holds for a writer
7. Stories worth writing here Local history and life stories waiting to be written, plus writing groups
8. Working with me where you are Ghostwriting by town, county, state or remotely

1. Places to write

↑ Back to chapters

2. The literary history nobody tells you about

↑ Back to chapters

3. Getting your book out locally

↑ Back to chapters

4. Every bookstore within thirty miles

↑ Back to chapters

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  1. Portkey Books
    404 Main Street, Safety Harbor, FL 34695
    New and used, women-owned
  2. Back in the Day Books
    355 Main Street, Dunedin, FL 34698
    Half new, half used
  3. The Gilded Page
    123 East Court Street, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
  4. Bitter End Books
    306 Orange Street, Palm Harbor, FL 34683
    Downtown Ozona
  5. Sam's Books
    180 Race Track Road, Oldsmar, FL 34677
    Antique Village
  6. Book Rescuers
    8325 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33771
    Warehouse of used books
  7. Comic Book Underground
    12073 Seminole Boulevard, Largo, FL 33778
    Comics
  8. Emerald City Comics
    4902 113th Avenue North, Clearwater, FL 33760
    Comics
  9. Barnes & Noble Clearwater
    23654 US Highway 19 North, Clearwater, FL 33765
  10. Barnes & Noble Palm Harbor
    33591 US Highway 19 North, Palm Harbor, FL 34684
  11. Tombolo Books
    2153 1st Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
  12. Wilson's Book World
    535 16th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33705
    Used books
  13. Book + Bottle
    17 6th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
    Books and a wine bar
  14. The Book Lounge
    631 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
  15. Story Garden
    832 14th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33705
  16. Cultured Books
    833 22nd Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
  17. Feed Your Imagination
    7213 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33710
  18. Pages and Perks
    253 2nd Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
  19. Black English Bookstore
    401 East Oak Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602
    Tampa Heights
  20. Mojo Books & Records
    2554 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612
    Near USF
  21. Steamy Lit
    2832 South MacDill Avenue, Tampa, FL 33629
    Romance only
  22. Tampa Antiques and Books
    1802 South MacDill Avenue, Tampa, FL 33629
    Rare and antiquarian
  23. Oxford Exchange
    420 West Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33606
  24. Bookends
    2208 East 2nd Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605
    Ybor City

5. Public libraries in range

↑ Back to chapters

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  1. Safety Harbor Public Library
    101 Second Street North, Safety Harbor, FL 34695
  2. Clearwater Main Library
    100 North Osceola Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33755
  3. Clearwater Countryside Library
    2642 Sabal Springs Drive, Clearwater, FL 33761
  4. Clearwater East Community Library
    2465 Drew Street, Clearwater, FL 33765
  5. East Lake Community Library
    4125 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor, FL 34685
  6. Palm Harbor Library
    2330 Nebraska Avenue, Palm Harbor, FL 34683
  7. Dunedin Public Library
    223 Douglas Avenue, Dunedin, FL 34698
  8. Largo Public Library
    120 Central Park Drive, Largo, FL 33771
  9. Tarpon Springs Public Library
    138 East Lemon Street, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
  10. Oldsmar Public Library
    400 St Petersburg Drive East, Oldsmar, FL 34677
  11. Seminole Community Library
    9200 113th Street North, Seminole, FL 33772
  12. Barbara S. Ponce Public Library
    7770 52nd Street North, Pinellas Park, FL 33781
  13. President Barack Obama Main Library
    3745 9th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
  14. Mirror Lake Community Library
    280 5th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
  15. North Community Library
    861 70th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
  16. West St. Petersburg Community Library
    6700 8th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33710
  17. Gulfport Public Library
    5501 28th Avenue South, Gulfport, FL 33707
  18. St. Pete Beach Public Library
    365 73rd Avenue, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
  19. Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library
    2902 West Bearss Avenue, Tampa, FL 33618
  20. Town 'N Country Regional Library
    7606 Paula Drive, Tampa, FL 33615
  21. John F. Germany Public Library
    900 North Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL 33602

6. Museums, and what each one holds

↑ Back to chapters

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  1. Heritage Village
    11909 125th Street North, Largo, FL 33774
    Free, inside Pinewood Cultural Park
  2. Dunedin History Museum
    349 Main Street, Dunedin, FL 34698
    1924 railroad depot
  3. Pinellas County African American History Museum
    1101 Marshall Street, Clearwater, FL 33755
  4. Henry B. Plant Museum
    401 West Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33606
    University of Tampa
  5. Tampa Bay History Center
    801 Water Street, Tampa, FL 33602
    On the Riverwalk
  6. Ybor City Museum State Park
    1818 East 9th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605
    1923 bakery building

7. Stories worth writing here

↑ Back to chapters

8. Working with me where you are

↑ Back to chapters

Thinking about a book of your own? Start with the Ghostwriting Hub. Related: Memoir Hub, Writing Hub, Publishing & Marketing Hub.

Articles in Each Writing in Tampa Bay ChapterA horizontal bar chart of how many articles sit in each of the eight chapters of the Writing in Tampa Bay hub. Public libraries in range is the largest chapter with 40 articles, followed by the bookstore chapter with 24. Places to write, literary history, getting your book out and stories worth writing hold 4 each.Articles in Each Writing in Tampa Bay ChapterPlaces to write4Literary history4Getting your book out4Bookstores24Public libraries40Museums6Stories worth writing4Working with me11
Articles in Each Writing in Tampa Bay ChapterA horizontal bar chart of how many articles sit in each of the eight chapters of the Writing in Tampa Bay hub. Public libraries in range is the largest chapter with 40 articles, followed by the bookstore chapter with 24. Places to write, literary history, getting your book out and stories worth writing hold 4 each.Articles in Each Writing in Tampa BayChapterPlaces to write4Literary history4Getting your book out4Bookstores24Public libraries40Museums6Stories worth writing4Working with me11

Libraries and bookstores make up most of the hub, with 40 and 24 articles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I write for free in Tampa Bay?
The public libraries. Most have quiet rooms, wifi and long hours, and several stay open into the evening.
How do I get my book into a local bookstore?
Ask the shop directly. Independents often take local authors on consignment, and a book printed through IngramSpark is easier for them to order.
Does Richard Lowe meet clients in person?
Yes, in the Tampa Bay area, and he works with clients anywhere by video.

Your story is worth writing down

The people who built the mound at Philippe Park left no account of themselves. The record goes to whoever left one. Let’s talk about yours.

No pitch. No pressure.

Series
Writing in Tampa Bay
← Silent Book Clubs: The Format That Stopped PretendingThe Tampa Bay Book Festival Calendar →
Categories and tags
CategoriesBook MarketingWriting Craft
TagsBook MarketingHistoryMemoir WritingWriting Life
About the Author
Richard Lowe, professional ghostwriter

Richard Lowe is a professional ghostwriter and author with 113+ books authored and 54+ ghostwritten. Before writing full time he spent 33 years in enterprise technology, including 20 years as Director of Computer Operations and Technical Services at Trader Joe's. He writes nonfiction, fiction and memoir, and works with executives and experts on books that build authority.

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Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this blog post are solely those of Richard Lowe and are based on personal experience and research. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional legal, financial, accounting, or business advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making important business or legal decisions. Richard Lowe is not a lawyer, accountant, or licensed professional advisor, and this content does not establish any professional relationship.

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