2026 AIBF Festival
February 28, 2026
Fernandina Beach Middle School
315 Citrona Drive, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Join Us As We Celebrate Our 25th Anniversary!
This year's theme is Hollywood Nights and we're excited to welcome:
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we're pleased to continue the tradition of hosting a free festival for our community.
Our celebrity authors will participate in engaging conversation, tell us about their writing life, and what it's like to see their books made into movies or a television series. They'll give you a glimpse into the process of having their book optioned and all that entails. Guests will have a chance to purchase their books and have them signed by the author(s).
During the Festival, visitors will have the opportunity to meet more than 100 exhibiting authors from across the country. Many of these authors are self-published and come to Amelia Island to introduce you to their work. We'll be announcing exhibiting authors shortly.
If you're a writer, we'll have engaging and hands-on writing workshops. Stay tuned for more information.
Back by popular demand is the Kids Zone a fun filled area to keep the young ones engaged.
Ultimately, you’ll find unlimited opportunities to enrich your life with books in a fun loving, festive atmosphere.
THIS IS A FREE EVENT!!!!! NO TICKETS NEEDED!!!!!
Media Center
10 - 10:40 AM Self, Hybrid, or Traditional?, Demystifying Today’s Publishing Options
Linda Sexton with Amelia Island Writers: Jane Buyers, Ralph DeFalco, Julia McDermott, and Tom Hitchcock
12 - 12:40 PM Kindermusik with Stephanie Davis from Amelia Music Studio - Media Center
1 - 1:40 PM Story Time with Ms. Dearsha
2 - 2:40 PM How to Write Cinematic Descriptions - Hands-On Fiction
Workshop with Local Author & Artist R. D. G. Lover
Auditorium
10 - 10:40 AM Never Too Late to Follow Your Dreams Workshop with Claire Cook
11 - 11:40 AM From Page to Screen — The Art of Adaptation featuring authors
David Baldacci, Philipp Meyer, Claire Cook and Mary Alice Monroe,
moderated by Kevin Powers
12 - 12:40 PM Hollywood Hustle: The Truth About Options & Development
featuring authors Kristy Woodson Harvey, Kate Quinn and Ashley Elston,
moderated by Donna Kaufman
1 - 1:40 PM Women’s Stories on Screen — Emotion, Place, and Power featuring authors Kristy Woodson Harvey, Mary Alice Monroe, Kate Quinn, Claire Cook and Ashley Elston, moderated by Madeline Martin
2 - 2:40 PM American Reckonings: The Architecture of Power, War, and Legacy
featuring authors David Baldacci and Philipp Meyer moderated by Kevin Powers
3 - 3:40 PM: Anyone Can be an Inventor! STEM program with Jennifer Swanson
Gymnasium
ALL FEATURED FESTIVAL AUTHORS AND EXHIBITING AUTHORS
Amelia Island Writers - Tables 67 & 68
Authors Book Signing
The Book Loft - Book Sales
Kids Zone
10:30 AM Emma Love Elementary Special Guest readers - Outside activity area
11 - 11:45 AM Sudipta Bardhan Quallen - Media Center
12 - 12:40 PM Kindermusik with Stephanie Davis from Amelia Music Studio - Media Center
1 pm - Dearsha from Story and Song with special character guest - Media Center
1:30 PM Southside Elementary special guest readers - Outside activity area