AIBF Blog

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Apr 1

The AIBF Luncheon Tradition

As the Amelia Island Book Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary, some of our readers may remember those early celebrations of literacy...

Mar 15

2021 Virtual Events Are Underway - An update from AIBF President, Larry Williams

In recent months we have shared both reflections of past year’s memories and events, as well as our intention to continue pursuing our...

Feb 15

Reflections on a 20-year Milestone of Literacy - A book for every student of the Author they meet.

By Raffaela Marie Rizzo Fenn Quotes about books abound in every culture. My two favorites are: "Books are a uniquely portable magic." ~...

Feb 1

Grateful for AIBF and the Authors In Schools Program

I feel grateful for the gift of books, the place they have in our lives, and the Authors in Schools program of the AIBF.

Jan 15

"Mr. Grisham, is Camino Island about The Book Loft?"

by Sue Nelson & Kayla Quirk A customer walks by The Book Loft, stops, turns to his wife, “Is that, I mean, is that the bookstore in...

Jan 1

Anniversary Stories: Decade Remembrance of the Amelia Book Island Festival - Terri Wright

From the title, which is not a misprint, it is clearly apparent that the book festival has undergone numerous changes. The founders, Don...

Dec 15, 2020

Why I Chose To Be Involved in The Amelia Island Book Festival - Bill Amos

My parents were avid readers and passed that habit on to me. It is one of the best of the many positive habits they taught me. The book...

Dec 1, 2020

Anniversary Stories: Lois Lowry and the Case of the Zippered Jacket - Joani Selement

Young Adult author Lois Lowry stood in the auditorium of Fernandina Beach Middle School in 2004. What motivated her to stride onto the stage

Nov 15, 2020

IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT STORIES - Evelyne Holingue

It all started with campfires. And then cave paintings, some of the most legendary located in the heart of my native France. Egyptian...

Nov 1, 2020

Anniversary Stories: Total Support for Reading - Foy Maloy Shares a Book Festival Memory

I was blessed to have known Don Parker and Don Shaw, both amazing people, and consider them both friends. One day 21 years ago, out of...

Oct 20, 2020

Short Story Contest: Alive and Well in 2021! - By Joelle Crahay,

For many years, the Amelia Island Book Festival Association has organized a Short Story Writing Contest for all middle and high school...

Oct 15, 2020

Anniversary Stories: The Book Island Festival - Donald Parker

Andrea and I hadn’t moved to Fernandina Beach totally until 1997. We had vacationed at the Surf and Racquet Club from January to March...

Oct 14, 2020

Anniversary Stories: Celebrating 20 Years: Enriching Lives with Literacy

Today we begin a series of writings on our blog, starting with a story of how AIBF began, penned by one of the original founders, Don Parker

Sep 27, 2020

A Passion for AIBF - Barbara Heggenstaller

Imagine an elementary auditorium or library in any of Nassau County’s public schools... Now bring to mind dozens of five and six year...

Aug 13, 2020

2021 Amelia Island Book Festival Adjusts to COVID -19

For 19 years the Amelia Island Book Festival has connected students, authors and books for lifelong learning. We continue to commit to...

Jul 14, 2020

An Author's legacy: Just think of all those stories...

I never thought I would write a book…until one day I did.

May 29, 2020

Teen/Tween Memories from AIBF

By Eileen Meyer, Children’s Book Author Just a few months ago I gathered with middle school students at the Amelia Island Book Festival’s...

May 8, 2020

A Valentine for Young Writers

Author Andrea Patten shares her experience as a presenter in the AIBF Authors In Schools Literacy Program. Valentine’s Day was a little...

Apr 19, 2020

A Novel Experience with Authors in Schools

By Paul Andrews Paul Andrews with Yulee High School students, Nassau County, FL After attending the 2018 Amelia Island Book Festival’s...

Feb 28, 2020

Congrats to Scholarship Winners, Short Story Contest Winners

To encourage and support the writing interests of Nassau County students, the Amelia Island Book Festival offers scholarships and a...

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