The Maine Coast Book Shop announces the third Firehouse Forum in its author series on Thursday, Oct. 9 from 7-9 p.m. The event will be held in the Firehouse Center in Damariscotta.

Launched in 2013, the Firehouse Forum was developed as a way to connect readers, writers and others in theme-based literary programs in the Midcoast region. The forum also provides authors with the opportunity to engage with one another and the audience in conversation about their books and their experience in writing them.

The moderator stimulates and encourages dynamic discourse between the authors followed by a lively question and answer session with the audience.

The panel discussion theme is Maine Maritime History, featuring three outstanding maritime author historians: Lincoln Paine, George Daughan and James Nelson. Their esteemed moderator is Dr. Warren Riess, maritime historian, author and marine archaeologist.

Each of the authors has written compelling and invaluable histories which illustrate Maine's special place in world maritime affairs and which demonstrate how this integral connection to the sea continues to play an important role economically, politically, socially and technologically.

Portland resident Paine has written five books and over 50 articles, reviews and lectures on maritime history, including “Down East: A Maritime History of Maine,” and his most recent book, “The Sea and Civilization: A Maritime History of the World,” a 2014 winner of the Maine Literary Award for nonfiction.

Also from Portland, Daughan is a two-time winner of the Samuel Eliot Morison Award, first for his first book, “If By Sea: The Forging of the American Navy from the Revolution to the War of 1812” and this October for “1812: The Navy's War,” and a recipient of the 2012 gold medal in history from the Independent Publisher's Association.

Daughan's most recent book is “The Shining Sea: David Porter and the Epic Voyage of the U.S.S. Essex During the War of 1812.”

Nelson, of Harpswell, is the author of 17 works of maritime fiction and history, including “George Washington's Secret Navy” (winner of the Samuel Eliot Morison award for naval history) and a most exciting new novel, “Finn Gall,” about vikings in Ireland.

Dr. Riess is Research Associate Professor of History, Anthropology and Marine Sciences at the University of Maine. His research and teaching have focused on the maritime history and archaeology of Colonial and Revolutionary America.

He published “The Angel Gabriel: The Elusive English Galleon” and many articles about maritime history and archaeology. Currently President of the North American Society for Oceanic History, his new book, “The Ship That Held Up Wall Street,” is due in November.

Books will be available for purchase and book signing during the reception.

The Firehouse Center is located at 5 Bristol Road in Damariscotta.

All are invited to share in the challenging heritage of seafaring. This is a reservation only event and seating is limited! Tickets are $10.

To reserve seats and purchase tickets or for more information, call the Maine Coast Book Shop at 207-563-3207.