Summer is beach reading season. A dog-eared paperback is practically as essential on the sand as sunscreen and an oversized towel.

If the weather cooperates — and it better — summer readers will need to stock up on good books. And it just so happens there are plenty of Maine writers who have written a good number of good books.

Forty-one such authors from around the state will convene under one roof during the seventh annual Books in Boothbay: Maine’s Summer Book Fair from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Boothbay Railway Village.

Authors will sign copies of their books and talk about their work. Local notables include: Susan Conley, author of “The Foremost Good Fortune”; Hannah Holmes, author of “Quirk,” “Suburban Safari” and “The Secret Life of Dust”; Crash Barry, author of “Sex, Drugs and Blueberries” and “Tough Island”; Dana Moos, author of “The Art of Breakfast”; Cynthia Lord, author of “Touch Blue”; Caitlin Shetterly, author of “Made for You and Me: Going West, Going Broke, Finding Home”; James L. Nelson, author of “With Fire and Sword”; and Chris Van Dusen, author of “The Circus Ship.”

Authors Paul Doiron, Lily King, Shonna Milliken Humphrey, Van Reid, John McDonald, Harrison Thorp, Ron Currie Jr. and many others will likewise be there to meet with readers and converse about their craft.

Area bookworms have a rare opportunity to talk plot with the people behind Maine’s best-sellers and pick up a few new reads. Inquiring minds might even ask the likes of Melissa Coleman or Julia Spencer-Fleming what they’re working on — and which books they’re hitting the beach with this summer.

This year’s lineup of writers also includes a dozen children’s book authors and Maine Poet Laureate Wesley McNair.

For a list of attending authors and their bios, go to booksinboothbay. blogspot.com.

Admission to the book fair is free and an author reception follows the fair. Bibliophiles who wish to wander the Boothbay Railway Village grounds can do so, though there will be a $5 fee to ride the rails.

Staff Writer Shannon Bryan can be contacted at 791-6333 or at:

sbryan@mainetoday.com