Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Puerto Vallarta's writing community will be out in full force Sunday afternoon, February 26th, at Biblioteca Los Mangos for the annual "BookFest" in support of the library. BookFest is the last event of the three-day, 7th annual Puerto Vallarta Writer's Conference.

The event provides an opportunity to meet local authors, buy their books, and help finance the library. There will be music, children's activities, author readings, and autograph signings. A portion of book-sale income will be donated to the library. The library will also be selling books and other items.

"It's going to be a big community and library fund-raising event," said conference chairman Ted Druch. "I expect the courtyard to be full of people." Mariachi music and a Puerto Vallarta dance troupe will enhance the ambience while typical Mexican street lunches will be available from various local vendors.

Here's a sampling of the program:

Long-time Vallarta writer David Lyons will read from his novel Ice Fire, soon to be published by Atria/Emily Bestler Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster. Packed with suspense, science, politics, and murder, this is the tale of a US district judge who confronts one of the most powerful energy companies in the world. Ice Fire is the first in a series by Lyons.

Carmen Rodriguez, who was born in Chile and moved to Vancouver following the 1973 military coup in her native country, will be launching her book, Retribution. It's the story of 3 generations of women connected by a dark secret rooted in the aftermath of the coup.

Peter Hebein, a 21-year-old student at East Tennessee State University, will be launching his first novel, So There I Was. It's the story about a secret agent who vanquishes the bad guys in time to come home and tell his daughter about it as a bedtime story.

Los Mangos is most deserving of our support as it is much more than just a lender of books. It is a community center which also provides internet access, courses, performances of all sorts, and art exhibitions. Since it survives solely on private funding, events like this are essential to keep it afloat.

This worthwhile event will happen from noon to 5 pm Sunday afternoon, February 26th. Admission is free.

In addition to BookFest, the public is also being invited to hear and meet acclaimed novelist Jacquelyn Mitchard, who will be conference keynote speaker Friday night at 7 pm. The $200 peso fee for her talk can be paid at the door and proceeds go to the library.

For aspiring writers interested in the whole conference, registration is $125 USD or $1,800 pesos. To register, go to Puerto-Vallarta-Writers-Group.com. For more information email: langton64a(at)aol.com.