FOR THE LOVE OF READING

FOR THE LOVE OF READING

Despite canceling events due to Covid this year, the Amelia Island Book Festival will continue with its signature Authors In Schools program and other special events this year.

BY DICKIE ANDERSON

Once again this year, the Amelia Island Book Festival has had to adjust its schedule and cancel two February events. The traditional gala scheduled for February 18 and the Author Expo & Readers’ Extravaganza scheduled for February 19 were canceled due to Covid concerns. Lots of other events on the schedule for the remainder of the year remain in place.

Now in its twentieth year, the Amelia Island Book Festival offers a variety of events and opportunities for readers of all ages. Although the Gala and Expo had to be canceled, the very heart of the festival, the Authors In Schools program, will take place Friday, February 18.

The Authors in Schools program not only puts a book in the hand of every student in Nassau County, it also places authors in classrooms to engage students and encourage reading and writing. Authors include New York Times bestselling authors and award-winning authors that target younger audiences. Each year, authors are in front of 13,000 students at Nassau County public schools, five volunteer pre-kindergarten programs, and various private schools. Through sponsors, donors, and ticket sales, the festival strives to give a book to every student.

To further encourage students, the Amelia Island Book Festival sponsors Scholarship & Short Story Writing contests for all Nassau County middle and high school students to win creative writing awards, scholarships, and an opportunity to be published. This year’s contest challenges Nassau County students to write a Rudyard Kipling-style “Just So Story.” Stories will be published, with cash awards presented to the winning students.

The 2022 Scholarship contest offers two $5,000 scholarships. Nassau County high school seniors who are citizens of the United States, in good academic standing, and planning to attend college or university in Fall 2022, are eligible. Students are asked to create a 1,000 – 1,200-word essay and submit it by March 1. This year’s theme is, “What continued on next page author or story has most inspired you and how?” Details can be found on the festival website.

Starting in March, in partnership with Nassau County Public Library and the Book Loft, activities and events are scheduled to support One Book – One Community. The communitywide event promotes the reading of a particular book and encourages interaction between those who read it.

This year’s book is The Shop on Royal Street by New York Times best-selling author Karen White. In her newest book, White’s character, Nola Trenholm, is hopeful for a fresh start in the Big Easy, but she must deal with ghosts from her past—as well as new ones. A ticketed event featuring the author will be held at Fernandina Beach Golf Club. Tickets are available on the festival website.

Other events scheduled throughout the year include: in April, an online auction featuring the naming rights for a character in the next thriller by bestselling novelist David Baldacci, Honorary Chair of the 2022 Book Festival, among other exciting items; in July, a “Made in the South” event featuring author and sommelier Kara Joseph, author of If Wine Could Talk; in September, coinciding with International Pirate Day, a children’s event with costumes featuring Melinda Long and David Shannon, authors of How I Became a Pirate and Pirates Don’t Change Diapers; and in October, a celebrity author luncheon.

Festival organizers are already looking forward to next year, when the festival will once again present their annual Gala at The Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island, the popular Author Expo with its Teen/Tween Scene, and breakout sessions with celebrity authors. Like other Amelia Island festivals, the Amelia Island Book Festival depends on the enthusiasm and support of a giving community. Setbacks create challenges, and the Amelia Island Book Festival has met the challenges, offering a wide variety of events and programs for participants of all ages.

For information on festival events, visit www.ameliaislandbookfestival.org.