More than forty nationally-known and local bestselling authors and their avid readers will descend upon Telfair Square in historic Savannah, Georgia for the Second Annual Savannah Morning News Savannah Book Festival, which will be held the first weekend of February, 2009. Festival events on Friday and Saturday are free and open to the public.

As title sponsor for the second consecutive year, the Savannah Morning News has made a significant commitment of resources to promoting the Festival, which draws thousands of readers to Savannah’s historic district to see their favorite authors and discover new favorites, purchase books and enjoy family activities.

The Festival begins on Friday, February 6, 2009 with a keynote address by southern humorist and author Roy Blount, Jr. in the sanctuary of Trinity Church. Blount will be introduced by another southern humorist and author, Julia Reed – returning this year by popular request.

On Saturday, February 7, 2009 beginning at 10:00 am and ending at 5:00 pm, authors will make hourly presentations at seven different venues in Telfair square and the stately buildings surrounding the square: Fiction authors will take the stage in the sanctuary of Trinity Church and in a tented venue in Telfair Square; History & Biography authors will present in the Rotunda of the Telfair Academy; Authors addressing Contemporary Issues will be in a new venue this year, the Sculpture Gallery of the Telfair Academy; Lifestyle authors will address audiences in the Neises Auditorium of the Jepson Center for the Arts; Poetry will debut a new venue in the Fellowship Hall of Trinity Church; and a Singer-Songwriter will perform in Telfair Square.

The Savannah Book Festival employs a one-author/one-audience format; each author speaks informally and directly to his or her audience, with audience questions welcomed.

Following their presentations, each author will sign books in the Book Sales Tent adjacent to Telfair Square. Books by all authors participating in the Festival will be available for purchase on site and are supplied by Follett in cooperation with the Savannah College of Art and Design.

In addition to author presentations, family activities will be provided in Telfair Square, along with various food vendors and exhibitors. New for 2009 will be the Local Author Marketplace, where emerging and self-published authors may exhibit and gain exposure to audiences.

On Sunday, February 8, 2009, Savannah’s southern charm is on display as the Savannah Book Festival concludes with a ticketed brunch featuring Savannah’s own Paula Deen. The brunch will be a fundraising event in support of the Festival, and a date for ticket sales will be announced.