Energizing, Action Packed 2015 Amelia Island Book Festival

Amelia Island Book Festival
Press Release
Submitted by Marie Fenn
Contact 904.647.4221, or
Debra Craig 904.624.1665
November 20, 2014 2:00 p.m.

AmeliaIslandBookFestivalNow an annual mainstay, the 2015 Amelia Island Book Festival (AIBF) is slated for February 19 – 21, 2015. Featuring new and expanded additions and some perennial favorites, this 14th Annual Festival will feature a one-two punch of keynote and featured special event speakers, Carolyn and Bill Curry. Each with very different perspectives on life and the art of writing, they will dovetail their presentations. Carolyn will highlight her new book, Suffer and Grow Strong, based upon a diary kept by Gertrude Thomas, a woman of high regard in the pre-Civil War era who lost everything, and went on to become a human rights activist. Bill will talk about his career in football and his book, Ten Men You Meet in the Huddle, Reflections of a Football Life. Together, they are inspiring and motivating speakers who address the challenges life brings and how to overcome them.

“There’s a lot that’s new and fresh,” says John Carr, newly elected Board President, who has been involved with the festival for more than 10 years in various roles. With our new slogan, ‘Celebrating books, people, culture and creativity,’ a brand new website, www.ameliaislandbookfestival.org, a new festival coordinator, Debra Craig, and several new Board Directors, we’ve got fresh faces and ideas building on tradition while embracing the growing trends and needs of the reading public, most especially young people. There is something for everyone, so mark your calendars.”

Book Fest Board
Members of the Board of Directors of the Amelia Island Book Festival hard at work to create a dynamic array of events and offerings for readers of all ages across the entire community. (left to right) Shiela Fountain, Marc Curtis Little, Marie Fenn, Fran Shea, Terry Ramsey, John Carr, Brenda Carr, Barbara Mann

“All monies raised from the various events and the festival week are committed to creating awareness about books, literacy and the importance of reading for learning and enjoyment for the students of Nassau County,” adds Carr. “The festival has evolved over the last several years and as with any healthy organization it will continue to do so. I’m most encouraged by the invigorated and heightened efforts to excite our youth about reading and writing.”

Each year, Authors in Schools builds on the prior year. Last year, the festival was able once again to attract outstanding authors and presenters for every school in the county. “The entire community comes together in this effort including our membership, the School Board, teachers and students. Getting an author in every school and supplying the books, not just any book, but the books that are written by the authors who will appear in the classes throughout the county, brings the excitement full circle,” adds Carr.
Buying books for the students of Nassau County is the target of the Author Link, the fundraising arm for Authors in Schools. Through generous corporate, private and public donations, Author Link purchased nearly 1,000 books for our students during 2014. “With more than 11,000 students in our school district, we have a ways to go to reach our goal of a book for every student who interacts with the authors we arrange on festival Friday. In fact, all the money we raise after expenses goes toward this lofty goal,” says Carr.

“With our expanded hours and offerings, this year’s Teen Fest features two musician- authors and other authors of distinction, we hope to see more youth and teens out on Saturday, with rock music, books and authors aimed at this critical age group,” says Shiela Fountain, AIBF Board Director and this year’s Teen Fest coordinator. “The Teen Fest lineup of author-musicians and writers is especially designed for youth and we feel the music, authors and inspiration will have a lasting impact on this critical age group.” All those attending will enjoy free pizza and the opportunity to meet and mingle, up close and personal with author-musicians Charles Benoit and Kevin Emerson. Benoit is a saxophone player and author of several books dealing with modern day issues of young adults. Emerson is a composer, songwriter and author well known to young adult audiences. There are short story contests, prizes and the chance to learn how to publish your own book. In addition to Charles Benoit and Kevin Emerson, local author, Terri Dean, will inspire young authors to use their own life stories as meaningful springboards for writing. “I accepted the draft to handle this element of the festival because of how important I feel about the value of reading. We hope our new approach and the lineup is a great lure to teens and tweens,” adds Fountain.

“The Amelia Island Book Festival is considered a “Boutique” festival, meaning it is smaller than many and the events occur in a shorter period of time. It is important to our community because the literary focus enhances our community’s appreciation for the arts and culture, adding to the richness of our lives here in Nassau County,” says Pam Park”, the Board Vice Chairperson. “In my opinion, the most important aspect of the festival is the participation of so many talented authors both locally and from a distance. From award -wining mystery authors to science fiction writers, from historical fiction authors to international thriller writers, from children’s and young adult authors to songwriters, this festival includes authors of all genres. The talent we are so fortunate to amass is overwhelming. In addition, the countless volunteers who offer their talents and time to make the festival seamless are a true gift,” says Park.

“The festival gives exposure to local authors as well as more widely known ones. The Writers Workshop offers authors a chance to hone their craft, to find creative ways to publish, and be better prepared to market their work after publication,” says Evelyn McDonald, Board Director and Writers Workshop Chairperson.

Debra Craig joined the Festival as the Coordinator this summer after a 30-year career in teaching. “I am excited to be a part of the Amelia Island Book Festival. As a retired educator, I continue to have a very strong interest in promoting literacy and look forward to these opportunities with the festival. The board has great energy with lots of new ideas for the 2015 Book Festival and we look forward to having a wonderful festival,” says Craig.

People should come to the festival to appreciate the talent, talk to the authors and hear their stories, have fun and buy books!
For authors, participation in the Amelia Island Book Festival provides numerous opportunities such as free exposure, puts your books in our library, provides the chance to conduct workshops or appear in our schools, allows you to speak with hundreds of festival visitors and makes you an integral part of the energy and integrity of the event.

There is something for everyone, so mark your calendars for February 19 – 21, 2015. Be sure to visit our website for more event details, to become a member and to buy tickets to special events.

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The Amelia Island Book Festival is a not for profit 501c3
whose mission is to support literacy throughout the community and to organize, manage, and produce annual book festival events for all citizens of Nassau County.
For more details, email [email protected]
Editor’s Note:
Two attachments:
1. A sidebar summarizing the array of Festival Offerings.
2. Photo of Amelia Island Board Members at Work
Photo Cutline:

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wilma allen
wilma allen(@wilmaa65gmail-com)
9 years ago

Looking forward to the Festival. Thanks for all your hard work, energy and ideas!