What happens when you bring great authors to a small island in Northeast Florida? The 2017 Amelia Island Book Festival has announced the three day schedule of events.
What happens when you bring great authors to a small island in Northeast Florida? Everyone wants to come and enjoy all the events and activities. The Amelia Island Festival Board of Directors has announced the three day schedule of events. Be sure to come and help support this yearlong endeavor that brings an author to every public school and a book to every student of the author they meet.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017 (sponsored by Wm. L. Amos, Sr Foundation & Debonair)
TWEEN/TEEN SCENE (For students grades 6 – 12) (sponsored by the DAVID MILLER FAMILY, The WISH YOU WELL FOUNDATION and an Anonymous Donor in Memory of Shiela Fountain) – with youth authors, refreshments, prizes and four breakout sessions
TIME: 4:30 to 6:30 pm
LOCATION: Boys & Girls Miller Freedom Center ~ 942259 Old Nassauville Rd, Yulee.
FREE EVENT: Reservations are required; online at the AIBF website or by calling Boys & Girls Miller Freedom Center
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017
LESSONS FROM A BESTSELLER: STEVE BERRY’S WRITERS’ WORKSHOP-
Presented by CBC National Bank
Run by Number One International and NYT Bestselling Author of more than
15 books Steve Berry and his wife and business partner, Elizabeth Berry (through their History Matters Foundation) to Support Authors in Schools Literacy Program.
TIME: Workshop runs 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration opens at 8:00
LOCATION: FSCJ-Nassau Campus-Bean Center (Yulee) – 76346 William Burgess Boulevard, Yulee, FL 32097
A limited number of student scholarships provided by the Institute for Enterprise
AUTHORS IN SCHOOLS (sponsored by all sponsors and ticketholders)&
TIME: From 9 am to 3 pm (School dictates exact start and end times)
LOCATION: In all 15 Nassau County Public Schools
FREE EVENT No cost to schools or students—AIBF gets authors and buys presenting authors’ books for students
AUTHOR FACEOFF DINNER GALA – With literary giants and NYT Bestselling Authors led by Festival Honorary Chairman Steve Berry, don’t miss this “Face-off” with R.L. Stine, David Baldacci, Joseph Finder, Lara Adrian and Mary Kay Andrews. VIP tickets available for contributors of $500 or more.
TIME: 6 to 10 pm
LOCATION: Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, 39 Beach Lagoon Road, Amelia Island, FL 32034
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2017
AUTHOR EXPO/READER’S EXTRAVAGANZA
TIME: 10 am to 5:00 pm
LOCATION: Fernandina Beach Middle School, 315 Citrona Drive, Fernandina Beach, FL
FREE ADMISSION & FREE PARKING – open to all
A family festival and celebration of the written word. Food, fun, entertainment and activities. Contests and prizes for kids and adults. Author presentations, breakout sessions, book sales and signings throughout the day.
AUTHOR PRESENTATION/BREAKOUT SESSION/BOOK SIGNINGS (at Fernandina Beach Middle School) Breakout sessions with featured authors and book signings for adults. Also breakouts for children with crafts, making a book and so much more.
Don’t miss these fabulous breakout sessions. All free.
Participate in offerings for all ages – enjoy food, beverages; Enter to win contests with drawings for great prizes. Prizes will be given throughout the day. With more than 100 noted authors, both International and New York Times bestsellers and emerging authors of every genre, to share their stories, there’s some thing for every age and type of reader. Come meet and mingle with your favorites; make some new discoveries; buy a book; get it signed; get your photo taken with your favorites; attend author breakout sessions and special presentations; bask in the literary excitement.
All the breakout sessions will be held in the Media Center, except for the R.L. Stine presentation which will be held in the Auditorium & Jacques Pepin who will be signing in the Exhibit Hall (gym).
Breakout sessions will be at 10, 11, 12, 1 and 2:30.
The Kidz Zone will be open from 10 to 2.
Each presenting author will be available in the Exhibit Hall (gym) to sign books immediately after their session is over. Out of courtesy to others, please do not ask authors to sign more than two books.
10 am-12 pm Jacques Pépin – Signing His Bestselling Cookbooks
One of America’s most loved French chefs. Jacques Pépin, the award-winning and internationally renowned chef, television personality and author, has appeared on French and American television and written an array of cookbooks that have become best sellers. A short list of Pépin’s numerous accolades and accomplishments include co-starring in the PBS series Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home with Julia Child, Emmy Award Winner, cooking for heads of state, restaurant owner and columnist.
10 am Mary Kay Andrews – Tales From the Writing Trail
Join New York Times bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews as she intrigues her audience with the essence of her bigger than life protagonists and antagonists who accompany her readers on mesmerizing journeys. Inspired by her southern roots, her meandering travels, and a vivid imagination, hear how she peppers her works—Deep Dish, Savannah Blues, the Weekender and many others –with unforgettable characters.
11 am Joseph Finder – The Ordinary Guy—No Ordinary Thriller Writer
Discover how this master thriller craftsman, who wanted to be a spy or maybe a professor of Russian history, became a powerhouse thriller writer. With a reputation as one of the world’s most talented thriller authors, Joseph Finder writes about the ordinary guy in extraordinary peril. Two of his novels, High Crimes and Paranoia, became major motion pictures. No matter which you choose, Suspicion, The Fixer, Guilty Minds or any of his earlier novels, you will be captivated.
12 pm Henny Stewart – In Celebration of Black History Month
Join Jacksonville TV’s co-host of The Chat as she moderates a diversified panel made up of local and nationally renowned authors. The interactive question and answer discussion promises to be informative and entertaining for all. A dedicated hard worker, who loves to travel and makes connections wherever she goes, Henny says, “Life is about Choices, Chances, and Changes: let’s make the most of them!”
1 pm Lara Adrian – Spell Binding Tales and Heart Stopping Stories
Surrounded by centuries old graveyards, the brooding ocean, and hip urban comforts, New Englander Lara Adrian, international best selling author of the Midnight Breed vampire romance series, historical romances, and paranormal romance tales, will captivate you as she imparts her secrets to creating stories with tension, intrigue, and titillating twists and turns.
2:30 pm R.L. Stine (Reservations Needed) – Giving Kids the Creeps
The king of the Goosebumps empire, who says his great job is to “give kids the CREEPS!” will pay a spine tingling visit to Fernandina Beach. Stine is the author of more than 300 books including the Rotten School, Mostly Ghostly, The Nightmare Room and the Fear Street series. He will discuss his sources of inspiration that propelled him to become one of the bestselling children’s author in history. In addition, he will regale the audience with his latest Marvel Comics venture in which he will deliver scares to fans in the pages of an upcoming all-new MAN-THING series.
10 am – 2 pm Kidz Zone–Unleashing your creativity.
Kidz Zone will feature life-long educator and AIBF Board member Terry Ramsay and her craft creations for ages 3 – 10. Everything from stringing bracelets and making sun-catchers, to bag puppets and collages. In addition, and back by popular demand, Online Binding will turn the works of art into personal book keepsakes. As always, there will be glitter galore!
