The festival, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting literacy, offers aspiring writers, casual readers and book lovers a wonderful weekend of sun, sand, sea and stories in a lush coastal setting. Talks, panels, autograph sessions and parties abound, offering attendees the rare chance to mix and mingle with authors, publishers and other literary professionals. Each of the featured authors is scheduled to appear at various discussions and panels throughout the four-day festival schedule.

Featured authors' works represent a diverse literary field, ranging from true crime to poetry, historic novels to science fiction.

Headline authors for this year's festival are Carolyn Hart and Robert Inman.

2004 Amelia Book Island Festival headline authors Carolyn Hart and Robert Inman.
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Hart's Letter from Home, a murder mystery set in Oklahoma during World War II, received a nomination for a Pulitzer Prize in 2004. Hart's most recent release, Murder Walks the Plank, is another installment in her popular Death on Demand mystery series set on a small southern island in the Atlantic.

Author, playwright and screenwriter Robert Inman left a 31-year journalism career for full-time fiction writing. His works include several novels, including his latest, Captain Saturday, two stage plays and six made-for-TV movies.

Other featured authors at the 2004 Book Island Festival include coastal Georgia resident Steve Berry, whose international crime thriller The Amber Room hit The New York Times bestseller list just two weeks after its August 2003 debut; David Ball, a former festival headliner and author of Ironfire and China Run; Bob Morris (Bahamarama); Janis Owens (The Schooling of Claybird Catts); Jeff Klinkenberg (Seasons of Real Florida); Stuart McIver (Death in the Everglades); and Jack McDevitt (A Talent for War).

A partial list of festival highlights is shown below. For a complete list of authors and events, go to www.bookisland.org.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 30
6 to 8:30 p.m. - Festival Preview Party. Whet your appetite for "Book Island" weekend with an advance look at all the events. Hors d'ouvres, wine, beer and punch will be served. Tickets: $25. Location: Parish Hall at St. Peter's Episcopal Church.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1
8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Authors in Schools. Featured authors visit schools in Nassau County for talks and readings to students of all ages, inspiring interest and enjoyment of books.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - "All About Words” Festival Day. For aspiring writers and anyone interested in knowing more about the craft of writing. Workshops and panels on writing, publishing and related topics, led by authors, agents, publishers and publicists. Tickets: $35 for the day. Location: Courtyard Complex at St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
4 to 6 p.m. - Books by the Beach. This is a casual outdoor social recognizing 25 local and regional-interest authors. Informal program and book signing. Open to the public. Free admission. Location: Slider's Seaside Grill.
9 to 11:30 p.m. - Rock-n-Roll Readings. Writers and poets read short works with an edgy, quirky or entertaining flair. Open to the public. Free admission. Location: The Palace Saloon.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. - “Paradise is Just a Book Away” Festival Day. 25 author-led talks, readings and discussions. Two sesions in the morning, three sessions in the afternoon. Five optional topics and speakers during each slot. Tickets: $20 for the day. Location: Courtyard Complex at St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. - Book Marketplace. Book sales and autographing. Meet and chat with authors. Open to the public. Free admission. Location: Courtyard Complex at St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
Noon to 1:30 p.m. - Lunch with Authors. Each table features an author as a guest of honor. Speakers are Carolyn Hart and Robert Inman. Tickets: $20. Location: Atlantic Avenue Recreation Center.
6 to 9 p.m. - Party Under The Stars. Join the authors and festival participants for an al fresco party with Southern-style charm, flavors and music. Tickets: $25. Location: Florida House Inn.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3
2:30 to 4:00 p.m. - “Shadows in the Sunshine” Author Panel. Noted authors talk about how ecology-related and environmental topics are reflected in Florida literature. Open to the public. Free admission. Location: Historic Nassau County Courthouse.
For complete schedule and ticket information, call (904) 491-8176 or go to www.bookisland.org.