5 Reasons You Will Have Fun at the Amelia Island Book Festival

Each year, in February, readers and writers alike flock to Fernandina Beach for the Amelia Island Book Festival. In the past, the festival drew the likes of John Grisham, Diana Gabaldon, R.L. Stine, Lee Child, and David Baldacci. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet NYT Bestselling authors and up-and-coming writers from around the country! The festival features a variety of workshops, meet-and-greets, and other events over a few days. Read on to learn about the best reasons to attend this lively affair. Then, check out our thoughtful Vacation Guide for more great suggestions to include in your itinerary! 

5 Reasons You Should Attend the Amelia Island Book Festival

1. Meet Your Favorite Authors 

Each year, the Amelia Island Book Festival draws renowned authors to Fernandina Beach! It’s the perfect opportunity to meet some of your favorite writers. In the past, the festival featured: 

“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” 

― Groucho Marx

2. Discover New Writers 

If you’ve exhausted your reading list and are looking for something fresh and inspiring to flip through, meeting new authors, local writers, and fellow readers can lead you to your next favorite novel! 

“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” ― Jorge Luis Borges

3. Fine-Tune Your Skills 

You can attend various writers’ workshops that cater to all skill levels! The speakers represent a wide range of professional experience from humorists, non-fiction writers, fiction writers, literature professors, illustrators, publishers, and more! 

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”

― C.S. Lewis

4. Celebrate the Wonder of Books 

Regardless of your age or reading level, there is a certain magic that comes to life when you read. Celebrate the wonder of books and share that with others at this highly anticipated annual event! Take part in special events throughout the week, such as the Kickoff Luncheon, Gala Dinner, Author Expo, One-on-One Crique, and Book & Bites! 

“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” ― Toni Morrison

5. Promote Literacy Throughout the Region 

One way in which the festival helps promote literacy in the region is by presenting scholarships to high school students of Nassau County! Additionally, the event draws quite a crowd, which gets people interested in all of the fun events that take place during the festival! Sharing a love of books with the community helps in this mission, as well. 

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” ― Stephen King

Stay in the Real-Life Version of Camino Island’s Marchbanks House in the Historic Downtown District of Fernandina Beach

If you consider yourself to be a John Grisham fan, then you might find another special reason to stay with us at Fairbanks House. Grisham drew inspiration for a fictionalized version (aptly called, “Marchbanks House”) of our charming property in his novel, Camino Island. If you’re planning to visit during the Amelia Island Island Book Festival, consider booking your stay with us! Choose between 12 uniquely appointed rooms, suites, and cottages. Revel in luxurious amenities, indulge in a gourmet breakfast, and relax in a comfortable yet elegant atmosphere! 

What are you waiting for?