More than 30 events, talks, readings and celebrations take place throughout the island and the historic port of Fernandina Beach. The festival brings together readers and authors of novels and nonfiction, mystery, history, adventure, Southern literature, poetry and children's books.

Among the noted authors spotlighted this year will be Cassandra King (The Sunday Wife, The Same Sweet Girls), Donna W. Cross (Pope Joan), and Steve Berry (The Templar Legacy, The Third Secret).

Visitors and locals share the fun at several free events, such as the Rock&Roll Readings at The Crab Trap, where writers and poets read excerpts with a quirky or hilarious flair. Friday afternoon, everyone gathers for an outdoor Books-by-the-Beach Party beside the ocean at Sliders Seaside Grill.

Friday at the festival is a day devoted to aspiring writers, with workshops and panels about writing and publishing.

Saturday draws a crowd for the all-day Readers' Festival, offering a fabulous smorgasbord of talks and readings by more than 40 authors. This popular event is now free of charge, meaning anyone can come for any or all of the programs they like.

Bring the kids, too! A Saturday highlight is The Children's Chapter, a tented area for activities, stories and personal time with children's authors. Both days, visitors can browse the Book Marketplace in the courtyard of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, where authors sign books and greet fans.

The whole experience delights festival-goers, and after one visit they are usually "hooked" on returning for other years, says Tom Basore, festival president. "What we hear most is how people enjoyed meeting so many authors and gifted speakers, in such a warm, friendly and beautiful setting."

The festival began when founders dreamed up a tantalizing idea - combining the lure of books with a spectacular natural site surrounded by water. As word got out, they founded a non-profit organization to launch the Amelia Book Island Festival in 2001.

The growing, lively festival continues to promote literacy by celebrating the joys of reading and writing. The festival has hosted authors such as Susan Vreeland, Robert Inman, Lois Lowry, Carolyn Hart, David Ball, James Swain, Nicholas Dawidoff, John DuFresne, Janis Owens and others.

This year's festival kicks off Thursday evening October 5 with a new event - Southern Nights with Cassandra King. This fun-filled gala at the Ribault Club on Fort George Island includes a Southern buffet, wine, beer, entertainment and prizes. Guests are invited to come as a favorite Southern book character or author. Tickets are $75.

8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Authors in Schools Day: More than 20 authors will visit area schools, from kindergarten to high school.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Just Write It! Writer's Workshops Day: For emerging writers and anyone interested in writing. St. Peter's Courtyard. All-day admission is $50.

Noon - Poetry Readings: Locations and poets to be announced. Free admission.

4 p.m. to 6 p.m. - Books by the Beach Party. Sliders Seaside Grill. Free admission.

8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. - Rock & Roll Readings: Claire Matturro, N.M. Kelby, Maurice Manning, and several local writers will speak at this popular, informal gathering. The Crab Trap. 31 N. 2nd St. Free Admission.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Readers' Day at the Festival: All the featured authors will give talks and sign books. St. Peter's Courtyard. Free Admission.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - The Children's Chapter: Programs, storytelling and activities geared for children ages 3-12. Street Tent on South 9th Street. Free admission.

Noon to 1:30 p.m. - Lunch with Authors: Each table features an author as a guest of honor. Atlantic Avenue Recreation Center. Individual tickets are $25. Reserved tables are $196.

3 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Words Rock!: Teen coffehouse event with reading by young adult authors, poets and local students. St. Peter's Youth Building. Free Admission.

Join Florida authors Gary Mormino, Susan Cerulean and Bill Beville as they discuss questions from their perspectives as writers and their personal experience of Florida. Historic Nassau County Courthouse. Free Admission.