The Amelia Island Book Festival
A New Look For An Old Favorite

 Book lovers of all ages will flock to Amelia Island the first weekend in October for the annual Amelia Island Book Festival, to be held the weekend of October 5-7.

The 2007 festival will feature many changes from years past. Instead of having all the events in one central location, this year's festival will be diversified throughout the entire island and incorporate many local businesses as venues.

Literary Luncheon keynote speaker Claire Cook and her latest novel, Life's A Beach. ___________________________________________________

The main festival area will be the 100 block of Centre Street in Historic Downtown Fernandina. The author chats, workshops and readings will be held in many of the area's restaurants, cafes and art galleries, as well as the local library and in tents right on Centre Street. Also, the Children's Chapter, including storytelling, crafts and author readings, will take place in tents and aboard land-based skiffs. Two special events: A Novel Event (Friday night) and the Literary Lunch (Saturday) will be aboard the Lady St. John's riverboat and will include a cruise on the Amelia River.

The 2007 Amelia Island Book Festival features an impressive lineup of over 36 featured authors, including national best sellers Claire Cook, Tim Dorsey and Stuart Woods.

Claire Cook, whose novels include Life's a Beach, Multiple Choice, Must Love Dogs and Ready to Fall, will be the keynote speaker at the Literary Lunch on Saturday, October 6. Her newest release, Life's a Beach, is a Book Sense pick, as well as a summer book pick for ABC's Good Morning America, People, Redbook, Good Housekeeping and Coastal Living magazines. Her previous novel, Must Love Dogs, was made into a motion picture starring Diane Lane and John Cusack.

Tim Dorsey, whose novels include Hurricane Punch (right) is the features speaker at A Novel Event on Friday October 5. ________________________________________

New York Times best-selling author Tim Dorsey will be the featured author at "A Novel Event" on Friday evening October 5. Dorsey's nine novels include Florida Roadkill, Hammerhead Ranch Motel, Orange Crush, Triggerfish Twist, The Stingray Shuffle, Cadillac Beach, Torpedo Juice, The Big Bamboo and Hurricane Punch. His tenth book, Atomic Lobster, will be released in 2008.

Stuart Woods is the author of 37 novels, beginning with Chiefs, a 1981 thriller that won the Edgar Award from the Mystery Writer's of America and was made into a CBS miniseries. His other works include New York Dead and Fresh Disasters, two in a series of Stone Barrington novels. Other "series" novels include Capital Crimes (Will Lee series), Iron Orchid (Holly Barker series) and Short Straw (Ed Eagle series).

A partial schedule for the 2007 Amelia Island Book Festival is listed below. For the complete schedule and updated information, please visit www.bookisland.org.

Award-winning mystery author Stuart Woods has written 37 novels. His latest work, Shoot Him if He Runs, will be available in October. _______________________________________________

 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5

Just Write It!
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. • Tickets $25
100 block of Centre Street
A day of informative workshops and panels on writing and publishing.

Authors in the Park
12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. • Tickets $15
Downtown Fernandina Outdoor Eateries
Join featured authors and festival guests for lunch and relaxed conversation.

Books-By-The-Beach Party
4 p.m. - 6 p.m. • FREE
Slider's Seaside Grill
Bask in ocean breezes by the tiki bar and enjoy snack and book signings with 20 selected local and regional authors.

A Novel Event
6 p.m. • Tickets $75
The Lady St. John's riverboat
Cruise along the Amelia River with Tim Dorsey and other featured authors while enjoying a delicious buffet, entertainment and prizes.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6

Just Read It!
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. • FREE
100 block of Centre Street
Join in an unforgettable celebration of books! Meet and mingle with featured authors in a day of lively talks, readings and informal programs. Buy books and get them autographed in the book marketplace.

The Children's Chapter
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. • FREE
Downtown Fernandina
Action, fun and adventure - it all happens here! Kids get to meet 14 great children's authors, enjoy lively programs, storytelling and activities geared for ages 3 to 12. Discover surprises, make your own book, get books signed and win prizes.

Literary Lunch
12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. • Tickets $25
Climb aboard the Lady St. John's for an entertaining talk with best-selling author Claire Cook. Dine on a fabulous hot buffet while chatting with a featured author as guest of honor at each table.

Authors in the Park
12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. • Tickets 25

Rock 'N Roll Readings
7 p.m. - 9 p.m. • FREE
Wicked Davey's Fancy Saloon
Enjoy a fun evening with featured authors, writers and poets as they read short, witty, entertaining excerpts.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 7

Just Enjoy It!
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. • FREE
100 block of Centre Street
Join local and featured authors for readings in a casual, spontaneous atmosphere. Discover great new books and chat with other readers over coffee and a snack.

Florida Author's Panel
2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. • FREE
Historic Nassau County Courthouse
This is a special panel featuring authors who will share thought-provoking discoveries, changes and happenings about Florida - past and present. Audience participation is encouraged. This program is made possible through the Florida Humanities Council with a grant from the National Endowment for the Performing Arts.

Grand Finale with Stuart Woods
5 p.m. • FREE
The Palace Saloon - 117 Centre Street
Mingle and chat with one of the great mystery writers of our time!