The Watershed Literary Festival returns to Rye to, once again, celebrate contemporary authors and the art of writing. The festival kicks off with a Cocktail Party by the Sea on Thursday, September 28 from 6 to 8 under the Rye Town Park Pavilions. Rye’s inimitable Annabel Monaghan, the evening’s emcee, will introduce us to her latest novel, “Same Time Next Summer”. Tickets are $40; space is limited. Three days of author events will follow under the tent at The Knapp House on Rye Beach Avenue.

The schedule is packed with book talks, panel discussions, and workshops and features writers of fiction, memoir, poetry, history, and crime. Journalists and critics are also in the mix.

Among the invited speakers are Kate Manning (“Gilded Mountain”), Jimin Han (“The Apology”), Priscilla Gilman (“The Critic’s Daughter”), and Iman Hariri-Kia (“A Hundred Other Girls”). A number of the authors, and several of the moderators, are either Rye residents or have ties to Westchester.

Jared Harél, Tyler Mills, and Carey Salerno will read their poetry and discuss their craft with Westchester Poet Laureate B.K. Fischer. Veteran journalist Lisa Belkin will discuss her latest book, “Genealogy of a Murder” with Heather Cabot, author of “The New Chardonnay”. 

There’s much more, including a workshop for young writers and a “Local Catch” book sale. 

Listen, learn, and prepare to be inspired. For a complete schedule and to register, visit www.watershedrye.com.

There is no charge to attend but a suggested donation of $20 per event is appreciated, cash or Venmo preferred. Three non-profit organizations — Rye Free Reading Room, Rye Arts Center, and Rye Historical Society — will benefit from the proceeds.