FORT MYERS, Fla.- Excitement is building for the 14th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival.

Friday, avid readers had the opportunity to meet, mix and mingle with some of the best selling authors involved in the annual event. Dorothea Benton Frank was also honored with the 2013 Distinguished Author Award. Fans say this event is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Director of the Lee County Library system, Sheldon Kakaye says, "For us to play host or hostess to 25 top notch authors, I can't even tell you what a pleasure it is."

Saturday's Reading Festival at Centennial Park and Harborside Event Center includes author presentations, shows for kids and new this year... a battle of the bands on the teen stage.