Media Release
Contact Raffaela Marie Rizzo Fenn
904.624.1665
[email protected]
January 29, 2016 11:00 a.m.
DON’T MISS OUT ON AMELIA ISLAND’S EVENT OF THE YEAR
THE LITERARY STAR-STUDDED 15TH ANNUAL AMELIA ISLAND BOOK FESTIVAL—FEBRUARY 18 TO 20, 2016
For three days in February, a collection of New York Times, USA Today and Internationally bestselling authors will descend on Amelia Island. Steve Berry, Greg Iles, Andrew Gross, Janice Gable Bashman and Brenda Jackson along with a host of other authors are coming to town to benefit the Amelia Island Book Festival’s Authors in Schools Literacy Program, as well as for the pleasure of our reading public.
With Steve Berry as honorary chairperson, this year’s 15th Annual Amelia Island Book Festival An Amelia Island Encounter—Action, Thrills and Mystery, is taking on a life of its own. Major headliners, new events, and improved venues, all enhance the event and promise excitement for residents and out of town visitors alike. All proceeds go toward the Festival’s long-standing commitment of promoting literacy to the students of our Nassau County Public Schools.
There is something for everyone during the three-day celebration. Book lovers and literacy supporters will find several events that provide remarkable experiences and help fund the Festival’s unique and highly effective literacy program, Authors in Schools. This long-standing program brings authors to each school in the county, and buys those visiting authors’ books for the students. There are unlimited benefits derived from this full-circle interaction as it exemplifies the importance of literacy.
There is still time to buy tickets for the celebratory Kick-off Luncheon featuring a keynote address by NYT bestselling thriller writer, Andrew Gross, set for Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016, noon to 2 p.m. at the Ocean Clubhouse on the Amelia Island Plantation.
Teens Scenes are free events happening on Thursday evening, Feb. 18, 2016, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Middle and high school students can choose from among four offerings designed especially for young people and presented by noted authors.
On Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 at FSCJ-Nassau Campus in Yulee, Steve and Elizabeth Berry are conducting their highly sought after, Lessons from a Best-seller Writers Workshop. Through their History Matters Foundation, the Berrys deliver an intensive four-hour workshop for writers, aspiring writers, and readers of all levels. Whether you are an already published author or have a fledgling idea that you want to shape into a book, you can benefit.
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The Festival’s signature fundraising event, the Author Face-off Gala will be held Friday at 6:00 p.m.at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort ballrooms. Ticket holders will be in for a memorable evening when some of the most celebrated thriller authors in America–Steve Berry, Greg Iles, Andrew Gross, and Janice Gable Bashman meet face-to-face in an engaging and scintillating exchange such to regale and entertain. Attendees will get to mingle with these and a host of other well-known authors during the cocktail reception, enjoy musical entertainment, a gourmet dinner and partake in a live auction to buy books for kids, all led by Emcee and Auctioneer, Florida Senator Aaron Bean.
The climax of the Festival’s events is the Author Expo/Readers Extravaganza, offers a scintillating day for all ages with more than 100 noted authors of all genres. With FREE admission and free parking, the Expo runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, at the Fernandina Beach Middle School Campus. There will be activities, book signings, food, contests, prizes and activities throughout the day. There will be breakout sessions and presentations covering a variety of topics in three different tracks—Action/Thrills/Mystery, Romance/Wanderlust/Memoirs/Mysterious & Memorable Moments and a double track for Children & Youth.
“There’s still time to support our Authors in Schools Literacy Program which touches every student in our Nassau County Public School System. For as little as $10 you can buy one book through our Book Buddy Program; and $300 provides the books for an entire classroom. Come out to the Expo and join the celebration that offers our youth a life-long learning experience through the magic of books,” says 2015-2016 Festival Chair Marie Fenn.
For a complete listing of all the authors who are coming or to get details for each event, directions and to purchase ticket or make a donation, visit www.ameliaislandbookfestival.org, or call 904.624.1665.
The Amelia Island Book Festival is a not for profit 501(c)3 organization
seeking to open up the world for people of all ages by promoting and celebrating literacy through books. With a mission to promote life-long learning through fostering an appreciation for books, we provide quality events featuring authors in engaging venues.