The third annual Amelia "Book Island" Festival, dedicated to literacy, love of the written word and the community of writers and readers, will be held the weekend of October 2-5. The festival features more than 30 authors of novels, mysteries, westerns, suspense thrillers, histories, poetry and books for young readers. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the authors and participate in workshops with authors, agents, editors, publishers and publicists.

Local author Nola Perez gives a poetry reading during
last year's Book Island Festival.
_________________________

The headline author of the 2003 Book Island Festival, Lois Lowry, is a two-time Newberry Medal winner - receiving the honor in 1990 for Number the Stars, and then in 1994 for The Giver, a haunting book about a strangely "perfect" world. Lowry will sign her world-renowned books and speak her warm and witty thoughts at the Lunch-with-Authors event.

Listed below are just a few of the festival's planned events:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3
2 p.m. - Publishing Seminar. Barbara Johnston of Skip 'N Stones Productions and Emily Carmain of Noteworthy Writing and Editorial Services give an in-depth look at what you need to know when considering publishing your own book. Printing options and alternatives, pitfalls to avoid, how to achieve a quality product. Admission is free. Location: Slider's Seaside Grill, 1998 S. Fletcher.

3 p.m. - "Up Close and Personal with an Agent" - A one-hour special session limited to 15 participants. Writers and would-be writers have an opportunity to meet literary agent Cricket Pechstein in a small-group setting, give a brief pitch for their books or concepts and get feedback in person. Cost: $20. Sign up in advance. Location: TBA.
4 to 6 p.m. - "Books by the Beach" party. Meet local authors at a local landmark. Casual social at Slider's Seaside Grill. Admission is free. Reservations recommended 1998 S. Fletcher. 277-6652.
7:30 p.m. - Fernandina Little Theatre. Opening of the play "Cheaper by the Dozen", based on the book. Friday and Saturday performances. 1014 Beech Street. Call 277-2202 for tickets.

9:30 p.m. - Rock 'n Roll Readings at the Palace Saloon, with various authors, including S.V. Date (Black Sunshine), Nancy Bartholomew (Strip Poker), slam poet Malcolm Randall and others on money, sex and politics. Admission is free. Reservations recommended. 491-3332.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Author-led talks, readings and workshops for readers and writers. 25 choices of sessions with featured authors, publishers, agents and publicists. Authors include but are not limited to Lois Lowry, David Ball, Steve Berry, Nicholas Dawidoff, Dorothy K. Fletcher, Lee Gramling and Bill Reynolds. St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 801 Atlantic Avenue. $15 admission covers all sessions, but does not include the Lunch with Authors. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door.

9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. - Book Marketplace. Free and open to the public. Find new books by featured authors; meet and mingle with writers and festival-goers. St. Peters Episcopal Church.
11 a.m. to noon and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. - Author Book Signings in the Book Marketplace. St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
Noon to 1:30 p.m. - Lunch with Authors. Speaker: Lois Lowry, author of The Giver. A featured author at every table. Atlantic Avenue Recreation Center, 2500 Atlantic Ave. Tickets are $15.


For a complete schedule of events for the entire weekend, please call (904) 491-8176 or visit www.bookisland.org.