AWP – Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference & Book Fair 2026
Book Fair Stage – HALL AD – LEVEL 100 Baltimore Convention Ctr/
1 W Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Panel discussion
Author Book Signing – Meet and Greet
Amity Coffee Roasters
8 W Market St, Greenwood, DE 19950
Come for an intimate gathering, meet and greet with Deborah Francis, Mental Health Advocate, Speaker and Author of Discomfort in the Manic Mind. Her compelling read brings enlightenment and education on living with mental illness across the lifespan. Books will be available to purchase. Cash/Venmo. Hope to see you there.
Author Book Signing – Meet and Greet
April 28, 2026 – 5pm to 6:30pm
100 Mill Street, Greenwood, DE 19950
Author reading and meet and greet. Deborah Francis will be a community talk in Greenwood about her journey living with bipolar disorder and discussing her new and compelling memoir Discomfort in the Manic Mind.
MAY – MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH BOOK TOUR 2026 DE MD MA NH
Book signing and meet and greet with Deb Francis
May 2, 2026 – Saturday | From 12pm to 2pm
2618 Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD
What to expect
In honor of MENTAL ILLNESS AWARENESS MONTH, Deb will be featuring her compelling memoir DISCOMFORT IN THE MANIC MIND- A Journey with bipolar disorder. it is currently for sale in the store. You will also be able to purchase an autograph copy the day of.
Hope to see you there!
AWP AUTHOR SIGNING EVENTS (Baltimore Convention Center)
May 5, 2026 – Wednesday through Friday | From 1:00pm – 2;30pm
1 Pratt Street, Maryland,, 21201 (Baltimore Convention Center)
BOOK SIGNINGS AT THE AWP CONFERENCE
LOCATED AT TABLE T500 LEVEL 100
3/5 THUR 1:00 – 2:30 PM
3/6 WED – PRE PANEL DISCUSSION 9:00 – 10:30 AM
3/6 WED – POST PANEL DISCUSSION 2:OO-3:00 PM
3/7 FRI – 10-00 – 11:30
Author Book Signing and Community Discussion
Thursday 6:30pm – 8:00pm
45 S. Main Street, Concord, NH 03301
(603) 224-0562
Mental Health Awareness Month Author Talk
2:00pm – 3:30pm
Cotuit Library, Cape Cod – Kirkman Room
871 Main Street, Cotuit, MA 02635
(508) 428-8141
Mental Health Awareness Month Author Talk
11:00am – 12:30pm
Reubon Hoar Library
Litteton, MA 01460
(978) 540-2600
BOOK SIGNING MEET AND GREET
Saturday, May 9th – 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Where
Barnes and Noble
Watertower Plaza
120 Watertower Plaza, Leominster, MA 01453
(978) 537-6009
Author Book Signing – Meet and Greet
Where
Books-A-Million
76 Fort Eddy Road, Concord, New Hampshire 03301
(603) 340-5721
| Deb Francis will be signing and discussing her new memoir Discomfort in the Manic Mind. Come by and meet this new author and learn about this compelling memoir. |
Round Table Discussion, Q&A and Journal Entry
Where
Milton Library
121 Union St., Milton, DE 19968(302) 855-1975
| Deb Francis has been invited back to the Milton Library for an intimate evening roundtable circle discussion. During this special gathering, she will share how her personal journey with bipolar disorder began as private journal entries and evolved into a published memoir. She will discuss how writing became instrumental in her healing, growth, and recovery. This evening is centered on connection, conversation, and community support surrounding mental illness. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in thoughtful dialogue, ask questions during a dedicated Q&A; session, and participate in a guided journaling experience. Following the discussion and questions, participants will be invited to spend time writing in their own journals, encouraging reflection, expression, and personal exploration in a supportive circle setting. |
READING/MENTAL HEALTH DISCUSSION – MEET THE AUTHOR COMMUNITY EVENT
The Crafty Reader
39 N. Walnut Street
Milford, DE 19963
(302) 381-6306
OCTOBER MENTAL ILLNESS AWARENESS WEEK BOOK TOUR 2026
READING AND MENTAL HEALTH DISCUSSION TO FOLLOW COMMUNITY EVENT
Concord Public Library
45 Green Street
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 225-8670
PAST EVENTS
ZOOM PRESENTATION – CONTACT DBSA
What to expect
BOSTON – https://dbsaboston.org
DBSA – Depression Bipolar Support Alliance, Boston
ONLINE ONLY
Email for more information
NAMIWalks Delaware
Together, we are strong enough to lift hope. Together, we are NAMIWalks.
Please join me for this great event. I will be speaking at the opening ceremony of the walk, sharing some of my journey, living with mental illness..
We invite you to take the walk of your life – with NAMIWalks. Each participant will stand by you and walk by your side, every step of the way.
Together, we will make a powerful change in our community. “Mental Health for All,” here we come.
It’s a walk, a very special walk. And it’s a lifetime’s journey – the lifetimes you will change by joining us today.
Milford Library Local Author Sign and Sell Event
Saturday, July 26th – 10:00am – 1:00pm
A life story of recovery living with bipolar disorder. In person community event.
What to expect
Come meet Deb featuring my new memoir DISCOMFORT IN THE MANIC MIND book. It will be available to purchase. See you there!
Official BOOK LAUNCH & Signing! Barnes & Noble – Salisbury, MD
Sunday, July 27th – 1:00pm – 3:00pm
2618 N. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD 21801
What to expect
Come to the launching of the book DISCOMFORT IN THE MANIC MIND written by local Sussex County, DE author Deborah Francis. Author signing, meet & greet! Bring friends and family!
Community Health Fair
October 4, 2025 – 9am-2pm (Saturday)
97 Central Avenue, Ocean View, DE
Mental Health Awareness Resource Fair, Seaford, DE
October 4, 2025 – 12pm -4pm (Saturday)
The Jay’s Nest, Seaford, DE
Book Signing / Meet & Greet Held at the Crafty Reader in Downtown Milford, DE!
October 11, 2025 – 12pm – 2pm (Saturday)
39 N. Walnut St., Suite 104C, Milford, DE 19963
Join us for Mental Health Awareness week with a book signing as well as meet & greet with Deborah Francis, new author of the memoir DISCOMFORT IN THE MANIC MIND -A Journey with bipolar disorder.
Coffee & Conversation with Deb Francis @ Turning Pages Book Lounge
October 12, 2025 – 10am – 2pm (Sunday)
117 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View, DE 19970
Come for a coffee and conversation with Deb Francis, author of, DISCOMFORT IN THE MANIC MIND -A journey with bipolar disorder. Mental illness awareness week ends on October 12th and Deb will be available for a conversation of life experience and her new memoir in the journey of mental illness. Autographed Books will be available for purchase
Milford Diner! Milford, De
October 16, 2025 – 11:30 (Thursday)
Join us for an interactive conversation with Deborah Francis, new author of the memoir DISCOMFORT IN THE MANIC MIND -A Journey with bipolar disorder. Deb will present her story “A life of reality in recovery living with a mental illness.” Lunch menu and book will be available to purchase.
Book Signing! Barnes & Noble – Salisbury, MD
October 18, 2025 – 12:00pm – 2:00pm
2618 N. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD 21801
What to expect
Come to book signing for the highly talked about book DISCOMFORT IN THE MANIC MIND written by local Sussex County, DE author Deborah Francis. Author signing, meet & greet! Bring friends and family!
Community Event at Milton Library
Deborah’s memoir, “Discomfort in the Manic Mind: A Journey with Bipolar Disorder,” released in July. She has shared her compelling and resonant story for over 20 years. A new resident of Milton, DE (by way of New England, where she launched her speaking career and obtained a national award as a staff member at the National Alliance on Mental Illness/NAMI NH), Deborah is a local powerhouse. Join her for a compelling evening of discussion about her dark days of being diagnosed at the age of 24 and how she lived within mania, psychosis, and depressive suicide ideation. Deb’s fierce determination to gain a sense of recovery is the part of her story that sets an courageous example of hope and resilience.