Amelia Island Book Festival
Submitted by Diana Frank, Author
August 6, 2021
The Amelia Island Book Festival is back in full swing. The annual luncheon will be a kick-off to the 20th anniversary of the AIBF celebrating 20 years of enriching lives with literacy. The luncheon will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Amelia Island.
For the first in-person event of this season, a spectacular luncheon is planned. The keynote speaker will be Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of nine novels including Under the Southern Sky. One reviewer said this book “is more than sweet Southern fiction. It packs a punch and leads in unexpected directions.” Harvey received praise as a major new voice and rising star in southern fiction. Her work has been optioned for film. A Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of University of North Carolina’s school of journalism, she has received numerous awards and accolades. Harvey cohosts Friends and Fiction, a weekly live web show with Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Patti Callahan Henry, and Mary Alice Monroe. She blogs with her mom Beth Woodson on Design Chic about creating a beautiful home.
When asked about Harvey, Sue Nelson of the Book Loft said, “She is delightful, and everyone will be charmed.” Many of her books, including Under the Southern Sky, will be made available for purchase by Story and Song at the luncheon. In praise of these novels, owner Donna Paz Kaufman said, “When what we need most is a heartfelt story to connect us, go to Kristy Harvey’s novel for a trip to Peachtree Bluff.”
Last year’s in-person events were cancelled, but AIBF continued its mission to connect students, authors and books for lifelong learning while conforming to health guidelines from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite limitations including cancelling the luncheon, the gala and the author expo, Nassau County students’ lives were enriched with the short story writing contest for students with 50 winners participating in a Q and A writers’ workshop on Zoom with David Baldacci, publication of those stories in an anthology, a $5,000 scholarship award and book distribution to Nassau County students.
A unique take on southern seafood cuisine or a choice of a vegetarian option will be offered by Chef Niko Anagnosotu. Expect free parking and easy access to the dining room. Visit ameliaislandbookfestival.com to purchase tickets.