It seems as though literary and book festivals are springing up all over Maine. That’s a good thing! The more opportunities there are for writers, readers and book lovers to get out there and show their love, the better.

A new one is making its debut next week. The Maine Book Fest, in Hallowell, is organized by Maddie Smith, the 22-year-old entrepreneur behind The Banned Bookstore, an online shop that sells books that have been banned or censored, as well as books that haven’t been.

The festival Smith has put together is remarkable — more than 30 authors, book-related vendors and literary organizations will be in the marketplace. There are also forums and reading throughout the day. And live music! And a food truck!

There is no admission charge. There will be a raffle, with proceeds going to suppport future Maine Book Fests.

I will have a booth at the Fest, as will fellow Maine Crime Writer Vaughn Hardacker. Vaughn is also reading in the afternoon.

The mission of the event is to encourage reading, literacy and education in Maine, as well as “cultivate a strong and confident community of readers, writers, and creatives.”

The Maine Book Fest is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (the marketplace opens at noon), Sunday, Oct. 1, Stevens Commons, Hallowell. Check out the schedule at themainebookfest.com.

I know how frightening it is for people in the Portland area and south of there to venture above the Freeport line, but I assure you it’s only a 45-minute drive up Interstate 295. Hallowell is a civil and urbane city that you will feel right at home in. Not scary at all!

As writers, we, too, should have a mission to encourage reading and literacy. Obvious, right? By supporting events like The Maine Book Fest, we are helping to make our great state a better place to write, read and live. See you there!