Event Schedule

Friday, February 3, 2012

Pre-Festival Special Event8pm, Doors Open 7:15

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church $15.00 donation. Reservations requested info@ameliaislandbookfestival.com

Words and Music with Tom Kimmel, singer, songwriter, poet, teacher and entertainer. An award-winning artist himself, Tom’s compositions have been recorded by major artists such as Johnnie Cash, Linda Ronstadt, Joe Cocker and Randy Travis and featured in motion pictures. read more…

AIBF is grateful to Mark and Donna Paz Kaufman for their collaboration on this exciting event.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Authors in Schools – an author in every Nassau County public School!

Writer’s Workshops FSCJ9:00a.m. – 5:00pm

$65.00 includes box lunch. Workshops free to students with ID.

All day workshop for experienced and novice writers at FSCJ, Betty Cook Nassau Campus. Tickets on sale now!

FEATURING DAVID MORRELL, NYT best selling author of more than 30 books, the creator of Rambo, and a noted writing teacher and mentor, along with other fine authors and writing teachers.

Schedule

9:00 – 10:00 AM

CONVERTING PRINT BOOKS TO E-BOOKS – FORMATTING YOUR E-BOOK D. B. Barton will give detailed instructions for converting your print book to an e-book as well as an introduction to internet resources for selling your book!

DON’T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB Author/Editor Sonny Brewer will provide valuable lessons for writers from writers.

CREATING THE MEMOIR Jackie Cooper presents the do’s and dont’s of memoir writing, as well as a guide to constructing your stories. There will be a look at the three basics of making your story the most readable. You will also learn a way to frame your story, and guidelines on how to focus on your intended reading audience.

CRIME, SHE WRITES Kathryn Casey presents how she went from writing about sensational murders for magazines, to writing true crime books, and finally crime fiction.

10:15 -11:15 AM

THE LOST BOOKSHELF A generative workshop, Terri Witek will show how to repurpose discarded books into new poems.

PROFESSIONAL EAVESDROPPING, AND OTHER WAYS TO CREATE DYNAMIC DIALOGUE In this interactive workshop David-Matthew Barnes teaches innovative and unique ways to develop authentic, believable dialogue.

THE SECRET OF WRITING NON-FICTION NOVELS Pamela Bauer Mueller will walk you through the steps of writing the novel about real people and real events. Learn the steps to depicting true events through the novel form, bringing to life real people through dialog and description.

PLACE AS CATALYST IN FICTION presented by Tatjana Soli NYT bestselling author of THE LOTUS EATERS

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS Mary Ann Miller will discuss her journey from her travel sketchbooks to published author/illustrator. It includes tips for packing art supplies for traveling as well as how to make a tiny sketchbook/journal to take with you.

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

MARKETING WITH WIT AND ENTHUSIASM Pamela Bauer Mueller In this highly competitive market, learn the savvy secrets to selling more books and having fun at the same time! Find out how to sell to schools and bookstores, and how to create speaking opportunities that pay.

ANGST NO MORE: HOW TO MAKE YOUR SYNOPSIS WORK FOR YOU Vanessa Kelly This course will teach you how to use the synopsis as a plotting tool. Learn how to brainstorm a more cohesive plot, identify characters’ conflicts, and outline and construct a solid synopsis.

TASTEPRINTS: YOUR COOKBOOK AS MEMOIR Belinda Hulin. In this workshop you will learn about the components of a memoir cookbook, high and low-tech presentation ideas and the fundamentals of cookbook writing. You’ll also learn what to put in your cookbook proposal, should you decide to make a pitch to an agent or publisher

THE MURDER GAME D. B. Barton Attendees will actively take part in creating a murder mystery. They will explore the seven elements of a cozy mystery that make the genre unique and how to use each element in building a story.

ENTERTAINMENT REVIEWS/PERSONALITY PROFILES Jackie Cooper has written entertainment reviews for years, and it is a good source of opportunity and revenue. Writing reviews is not for the faint of heart but requires strong opinions. She will talk about how to develop the ones that lie within you.

1:00 – 2:30 PM

THE CURRENT STATE OF PUBLISHING Keynote speaker David Morrell, NYT bestselling author of CREEPERS. David Morrell created Rambo in his debut novel FIRST BLOOD. His other bestselling novels included THE PROTECTOR, CREEPERS, and THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE ROSE, the basis for a TV miniseries. An Edgar, Anthony, and Macavity nominee, he is the recipient of 3 prestigious Stoker Awards and the Thriller Master Award. This is David’s 40th year as a published author, an eternity when most careers last 15 or 20 years. In those four decades, David has seen numerous changes in publishing but none as dramatic and rapid as happened in the past few years. David will discuss those changes, including e-books, the Borders bankruptcy, and self-publishing, among various topics Bring your questions. This will be a lively session. David’s writing book is called THE SUCCESSFUL NOVELIST: A LIFETIME OF LESSONS ABOUT WRITING AND PUBLISHING.

3:00 – 4:00 PM

NOT ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY: FINDING TIME TO WRITE David-Matthew Barnes In the midst of a hectic schedule, finding time to write can feel impossible. In this workshop, learn specific techniques to manage a writing schedule.

QUERY LETTERS Marita Golden, author of fiction and non-fiction books and writing instructor, provides detailed instruction on how to write a good query letter.

WRITING GREAT STORIES Bill Bellville presents the value of “Narrative” or Story to a Writer.

THE JOYS AND PITFALLS OF HISTORICAL FICTION presented by Tatjana Soli NYT bestselling author of THE LOTUS EATERS

Festival Gala Once Upon a Book Island6:00p.m. – 9:30p.m.

$75.00 individual, $700 table for ten: Amelia Island Plantation Dinner, music, and conversation in a beautiful setting on the marsh.Featuring Amelia Island favorite – STEVE BERRY along with DAVID MORRELL. Meet all the Festival authors as well as old and new friends who share your love of books! Catered by Horizons!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Readers Festival 9:00-4:30

FREE: The 2012 Amelia Island Book Festival will return to Fernandina’s Historic District. Most of next year’s festival activities will be on North Fifth Street, between the First Presbyterian Church campus and the former First Baptist Church campus, now the home of La Tierra Prometida.

The Readers’ Festival and The Café and MarketPlace will be on the First Presbyterian Church campus. Author chats, panels, and presentations will be offered at various locations on the campus. The Café and Marketplace, where the headliners and featured authors meet and greet the public, will be in Jim Thomas Hall. This all day Festival is free and open to the public.

Presentations and Signing Schedule

9:00 – 9:50 AM

I Don’t Look Like Sylvester Stallone, So How Can It Be That I Created Rambo?David Morrell, who has been called ‘the father of the modern action novel,’ describes how he created the iconic character of Rambo in his debut novel FIRST BLOOD and how the character went on to have a life of his own.

The Future of Reading and Writing Marita Golden draws from her experience as a writer and writing instructor to talk about the future of reading and writing.

Transforming the News into Riveting Stories Nancy Murray speaks of her experience writing for young people about complex issues of today’s world.

Real Cases/Real Stories Kathryn Casey discusses how to write true crime, what to look for in a case, how to research and write about real stories.

Chat with Sonny Brewer, author of Poet of Tolstoy Park, and editor of Don’t Quit your Day Job.

9:50 – 10:30 Author Signings: David Morrell, Barnes, David-Matthew, Nancy Murrray, Marita Golden, Sonny Brewer, Kathryn Casey

10:30 – 11:20

Chat with NYT bestselling author Steve Berry Author of The Jefferson Key

Creating the Memoir Jackie Cooper talks about the do’s and don’t of memoir writing, as well as a guide to constructing your stories, including the hook, the development and the wrap.

Writing about Florida Legends Anna Lillios and Virginia Moylan share their experience researching and writing about Florida literary legends, Marjorie Kennon Rawlings and Zora Neale Hurston.

Dukes, Madmen, and Courtesans: What Jane Austen Didn’t Tell Us About Life in Regency England Vanessa Kelly presents a behind the scenes look at what life was really like in early 19^th century England.

Writing for Young Adults David-Matthew Barnes shares insights gained teaching and writing for young adults.

11:20 - 12:00 Author Signings: Steve Berry, Jackie Cooper, Virginia Moylan, Anna Lillios, Vanessa Kelly

1:30 – 2:20

The Secret of Writing Non-Fiction Novels Pamela Bauer Mueller walks participants through the steps of writing a novel about real people and real events.

The Genre Game: How the Genre Shapes the Tale Fiction authors, D. B. Barton, Kathryn Casey, and Vanessa Kelly, discuss the perils and pitfalls of genre.

Traveling Art: Creating Your Own Illustrated Travel Journal Mary Ann Miller presents a workshop for anyone with a love of travel, art, and books.

Amelia Island: The Birthplace of the Modern Shrimping Industry Tony Stubits talks about the history of shrimping on Amelia Island and using historical information in writing fiction.

Writing About the Past Jessica James shares her experience with writing and researching historical fiction.

2:20 – 3:00 Author Signings: Pamela Bauer Mueller, D. B. Barton, Kathryn Casey, Vanessa Kelly, Mary Ann Miller, Tony Stubits, Jessica James

3:00 – 3:50

Chat with bestselling, award-winning author Tatjana Soli, author of The Lotus Eaters.

In a Sea Without Sound Terri Witek shares her poetry about Ariadne from her book Exit Island.

The Passionate Memoir Three memoir writers discuss how they used a personal passion to shape a memoir – Belinda Hulin, Mary Ann Miller, Janie Wilkins.

Salvaging the Real Florida Bill Belleville will discuss “sense of place” in writing as revealed in his book as well as those of others who have written about Florida.

Looking for Zora Virginia Moylan discusses some of the fascinating previously missing pieces of the last ten years of the life of Florida writer, folklorist, and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston.

3:50 – 4:30 Author Signings: Tatjana Soli, Terri Witek, Janie Wilkins, Mary Ann Miller, Belinda Hulin, Bill Belleville, Virginia Moylan

Author’s Luncheon12:00–1:30 SOLD OUT!

An annual Festival highlight, this year featuring PAULA McLAIN, author of The Paris Wife at the Atlantic Recreation Center, $40

Amelia Island Book Festival awards and the Christa Powell Walley scholarship is also presented at this luncheon.

Paula McClain at the Amelia Island Book Festival

Festival members can reserve early – tables or individual tickets – beginning December 1st. General ticket sales open January 1, 2012.

Kidz Zone9:00-4:00

The Saturday KIDZ ZONE is FREE and open to the public. This program offers children of all ages fun activities designed to encourage the love of books and reading. Crafts, author readings, storytelling, and other special projects are available all day. Featured children’s authors sign books and talk with children and
parents about reading and writing. The Friends of the Library join with us and offer activities for children as well. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share the love of reading with young people.

The Kids Zone will be located at La Tierra Prometida, the former First Baptist Church, on North Fifth Street in the downtown Fernandina Historic District in the education hall, right across the street from the Readers’ Festival for adults.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Special Event

Join the Amelia Island Book Festival for the closing event of the 2012 festival hosted by the Amelia Island Museum of History at 233 South Third Street and funded in part by a grant from the Florida Humanities Council with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. This FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC event will be a panel discussion from 2:00 to 3:30 on Sunday, February 19. An opportunity to chat with the panelists will follow the discussion. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and Zora Neale Hurston: What do the writings and friendship of these two Florida authors tell us in 2012? Learn more about Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings author of Pulitzer Prize winner, The Yearling. Hear more on the life and works of anthropologist, folklorist, and author, Zora Neale Hurston. The event will open with a portrayal of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings by Betty Jean Steinshauer. The Moderator for the panel discussion will be attorney Teri Sopp who is also a Trustee of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Society. The author panelists are very knowledgeable about the lives and works of both authors and their passion and enthusiasm for the authors will make for a fun, educational, and unique experience. Come and meet panelists Dr. Anna Lillios, Marsha Dean Phelts, and Dr. Kathryn Seidel.