February 4, 2025
NICEVILLE, Fla. (February 4, 2025) – Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) is thrilled to welcome Lemony Snicket, aka Daniel Handler, renowned author of “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” to the exceptional NWF READS program.
The community is invited to attend when he takes the stage on April 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Mainstage Theater at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. This free community event offers a unique opportunity to meet Lemony Snicket, with a book signing to follow. Priority signing access will be granted to the first 75 attendees with books available to purchase.
“Being able to share the love of reading and power of literature by bringing such loved literary figures as last year’s RL Stine and this year’s Lemony Snicket to our campus is such a delight,” says Kandice Mollitiam, READS coordinator and assistant professor of rhetoric and composition at NWFSC. “We are truly excited to build on last year’s community engagement by bringing this experience with Lemony Snicket to his fans of all ages and communities.”
To celebrate the power of community reading, NWF READS Week will showcase a diverse array of engaging activities, with additional details about the community event provided below:
• April 14-17, 2025: Book drive | Books in good condition can be donated by dropping donations off at the Communications, English & Social Science office at NWFSC’s Niceville campus | 100 E College Boulevard Building 500 annex, Niceville | Open Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Donations are also accepted at the community event on April 16.
• April 16, 2025: Community Reading Event | Renowned Author Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler) | 7:00 p.m. | Mainstage Theater, Mattie Kelly Arts Center (MKAC) | 100 E College Boulevard, Niceville, FL | Free and open to the public. Signed and unsigned books will be available for purchase.
These events put on by NWF READS promise to provide a unique glimpse into the creative mind behind one of the most beloved children’s series of all time.
Lemony Snicket’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events” has sold over 65 million copies worldwide and is a darkly comedic tale about three orphaned siblings—Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire—who face a series of unfortunate events after the death of their parents. The children are relentlessly pursued by the villainous Count Olaf, who seeks to steal their family fortune. Despite Olaf’s elaborate schemes, the Baudelaires use their intelligence and resourcefulness to thwart him at every turn.
The series was adapted into a 2004 film, starring Jim Carrey as Count Olaf, and later into a popular Netflix series (2017-2019) featuring Neil Patrick Harris in the role of Olaf. Both adaptations capture the quirky, mysterious tone of the books while following the children’s journey through a series of increasingly bizarre and dangerous situations.
Don’t miss your chance to meet Lemony Snicket! For more information about Lemony Snicket, visit lemonysnicket.com, and for more details about NWF READS, visit nwfsc.edu/campus-programs/nwfreads.
About NWF READS at Northwest Florida State College:
NWF READS is an annual celebration of literacy held every April featuring a week-long series of events leading up to the main event, a performance and book signing by a featured guest author. The program underscores the college’s commitment to education, creativity, and cultural enrichment.
About Lemony Snicket, aka Daniel Handler:
Daniel Handler, known to millions by his pen name Lemony Snicket, is an acclaimed author whose works have captivated readers of all ages. Best known for the “A Series of Unfortunate Events” series, Handler’s sharp wit and unique storytelling have earned him a devoted fanbase worldwide. This13-book saga, chronicling the darkly comedic misfortunes of the Baudelaire orphans, has sold over 70 million copies, been translated into 41 languages, and inspired both a feature film and an acclaimed Netflix adaptation.
Beyond his Snicket persona, Handler is a versatile writer with a prolific career. He has authored novels for adults such as “The Basic Eight,” “Why We Broke Up,” and “We Are Pirates.” His works often explore complex themes through a lens of dark humor and emotional depth.
Handler’s recent memoir, “And Then? And Then? What Else?,” reveals deeply personal insights, including his struggles with mental health, his journey as a writer, and the literature that shaped him. The book blends cultural musings, personal anecdotes, and reflections on creativity, embodying Handler’s characteristic mix of humor and poignancy.
A San Francisco native, Handler resides with his wife, illustrator Lisa Brown, and their son. Known for his advocacy of the arts and his distinctive voice, Handler continues to engage readers with his innovative storytelling and unflinching honesty.