Mission
Create . Sell . Donate
Our goal is simple: provide books and literary events to our community.
We currently have three Little Free Libraries at Cob & Pen, Swan Brewing, and Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine.
Our monthly Squawk Box Author Talk series connects us with authors either in person or virtually to discuss their work, and gives us time to mingle with each other and enjoy cocktails and mocktails by Union Hall. Each monthly event raises money for different local organizations. Tickets can be purchased via the link in each event.
Banned Book Club is the first Wednesday of each month at 6:00 pm. The location changes, allowing us to visit different local restaurants and other venues.
“No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”
Dead poets society
History
Dead Swan Society was originally intended to be a literary animal- a journal, event series, or something of that nature which never materialized. Instead, we found more inspiration and motivation to raise money for local charities, which then morphed into our Little Free Library projects, and we’ve now come full circle by launching our book club and Squawk Box author series. Our name was inspired by Dead Poet’s Society, the movie, and its message of the urgency of change and art, breaking out of the mold of what’s usual and focusing on what is truly important to you.
OUR TEAM
Marcella Benton
Co-FOUNDER, captain
Marcella spends most of her time running Whatever Tees, a screen printing & embroidery business, with her husband, Tim, and taking care of her dogs and four cats. She also writes poetry in her spare time. Some of her publications can be seen at these links: http://www.juked.com/ , Black Fox Literary Magazine, https://www.swwim.org/.
Timothy Benton
Co-FOUNDER, captain
A born entrepreneur, Timothy Benton started a lawn care business in his preteens, a skate company, First Coast, in his teens, and his screen printing and embroidery business, Whatever Tees, in 2011. He spent his younger years in Vero Beach and now lives in Lakeland, FL. He also runs a second business, Mad Props Drone Marketing.
Whitney Noel Watts
Co-FOUNDER, captain
Born and raised in Valrico, Florida, Whitney recently relocated to 29 Palms, CA with her husband, Shane, her dog, formerly and currently known as Prince, and her cats, Bianca and Esteban. Whitney received her Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from Hillsborough Community College in 2011 and her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of South Florida. In her spare time, she enjoys running, painting and spending time with her family and friends.
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