Authors on Sanibel Attract Readers and Eaters

Sanibel Island is a tropical destination that attracts those who write, those who read and those who sell books. 

Marion “Doc” Ford, a moody marine biologist and environmental consultant with a murky past as a covert government assassin, exists only in the imagination of novelist Randy Wayne White. Yet Sanibel's Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille is a real place, where White can be found many nights chatting with diners and readers.

 

His novels are based in what White calls “Doc Ford country”: Sanibel, Captiva and Pine islands in southwest Florida, picturesque blends of beachfront mansions and working-class marinas. White says, “Ever since the first tarpon, the first great game fish, was landed in Tarpon Bay in 1898, those have been the two main elements here: the ultrawealthy and working-class fisherman. Before then, it was mostly wilderness.”

 

His novels make use of Florida history and environmental debates. It’s fiction, but he says he works hard to get his facts right.

 

With “Bone Deep,” the 21st book in his Doc Ford series of thrillers, White gives new meaning to the idea of a literary franchise. Or, as he puts it, “I’m one lucky guy.”  All the Doc Ford restaurants sell signed copies of White’s books, along with Doc Ford shirts, hats and hot sauce.

 

Another Sanibel Island author Dan Perkins recently put the finishing touches on the third book in his "The Brotherhood of the Red Nile" trilogy, yet the real story was how he went from having no interest in writing to producing three, full-length thrillers in 18 months.

 

Perkins said readers have been enjoying his books and his online reviews on Amazon and Barnes & Noble have been positive. The trilogy was also optioned for adaptation into a film by Producer Chase Chenowith from Back Fence Productions in Atlanta, Ga. Although he had no training as a writer, Perkins understood the importance of conducting research to make the novel as real as possible. He said his analytical experience as a money manager prepared him for the tedious aspects of researching all the specifics about explosives and the Middle East. "I did an incredible amount of research," he said. "I found myself amazed at what information is available on the Internet."

 

New York Times-best selling author Tim Dorsey signed books and greeted fans at the Sanibel Island Bookshop recently. Dorsey, a former political reporter and editor for the Tampa Tribune, has published 17 novels since leaving the newspaper business to write full time. His latest novel, Tiger Shrimp Tango, went on sale Jan. 28 and features the self-appointed Sunshine Sheriff Serge Storms - a mentally ill serial killer - his sidekick Coleman, and a private eye named Mahoney -

 

Often compared with fellow Florida crime writers Carl Hiaasen and Dave Barry, Dorsey infuses Florida culture and history into humorously written crime novels.

 

So even though our little Island is a haven of peace, tranquility and nature, if you want mystery and excitement, you can find it here.  Just pick up a book and read it!