The Savannah Book Festival is honored to announce the following Headliners for the 2022 Festival, which will be held: 

Presidents’ Day weekend

February 17 – 20

Plans continue for an in-person Festival 

Opening Headliner 

David Baldacci

Thursday, February 17, 2022

David Baldacci published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996. In total, David has published 43 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers. His novels are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. David has also published seven novels for young readers.

Keynote Headliner 

William Kent Krueger

Friday, February 18, 2022

William Kent Krueger is the New York Times bestselling author of This Tender Land, Ordinary Grace (winner of the Edgar Award for best novel), as well as eighteen acclaimed books in the Cork O’Connor mystery series, including Desolation Mountain and Sulfur Springs.

Check back in soon for the Closing Headliner announcement!

Festival Saturday author announcements will begin in November.

Planning has begun for an in-person 2022 Festival!

SBF pivoted to all virtual events following the cancellation of the February 2021 festival due to the global pandemic.  During the past year, SBF has hosted authors in live conversation with moderators discussing the author’s latest release, including Dave Barry, Brad Thor, Sandra Brown, Michael Connelly, Ruth Ware, Brit Bennett, Jack Carr, Jane Smiley and others.  SBF was fortunate to have significant support from our sponsors, keeping the Savannah book loving community connected to a variety of authors during the challenging times of the past year.  These virtual events have been so well-received that SBF plans to continue offering some virtual events in addition to the February 2022 in-person festival.

The world we live in has dramatically changed since the 2020 festival.  Therefore, additional steps will be added to our planning process, including incorporating the safety guidelines established by the CDC and our state and local governments.  Nonetheless, we are optimistic that the festival experience will be everything you have come to expect.

We are delighted to begin planning for an in-person 2022 festival and look forward to safely bringing our community together in February to celebrate the written word and the art of civil conversation, face-to-face.

The Savannah Morning News covered the announcement in today’s paper, a link to the article:  Savannah Morning News

SBF Announces New Additions to the Board of Directors

Welcome to the newest members of the SBF Board of Directors who will help shape the 2022 Festival:  

• Jeffrey Capshew, former VP of Sales at Macmillan Publishing
• Ariel Felton, Teaching Artist and Publications Manager at Deep Center
• Dr. Kristin Ott, Emergency Medicine Physician with Georgia Emergency Associates
• Bruce Pendleton, former distributor for Swagelok in Kansas City
• Brook Phillips, Small Business and Events Manager with Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce

A Message from international best-selling author Ann Patchett:

“Buy your books from your local independent bookseller, Jeff Bezos has enough money…..”

Behind the Scenes with Savannah Book Festival

A behind the scenes peek at the production room for our recent Savannah Book Festival (SBF) virtual event with Dave Barry, hosted by Harrison Scott Key.  While we are disappointed that current circumstances will not allow us to come together face-to-face for the 2021 SBF, we are enjoying the opportunity to bring you award winning authors virtually.  Keeping our mission alive, one author at a time.

FAQ Regarding Virtual Events

The Tips & FAQ page of our website will answer many of the questions you have regarding our virtual events for the 2021 Festival.  Click here for more information:  FAQ

In Case You Missed It……

In case you missed any of our virtual author events, you are able to access recordings of the events at any time.  To do so, click on the registration links below, register and you will have immediate access to the recording.  For those who had previously registered, click on the “View Event” button in your confirmation email and you will be able to access the recording at any time.

Ruth Ware, One by One

Registration Link:   Ruth Ware 

Jack Carr, The Devil’s Hand

Registration Link:  Jack Carr

S. C. Gwynne, Hymns of the Republic

Registration Link: S. C. Gwynne

Wright Thompson, Pappyland  

Registration Link: Wright Thompson

Larry Loftis, The Princess Spy

Registration Link: Larry Loftis

Brit Bennett, The Vanishing Half 

Registration Link: Brit Bennett

Jane Smiley, Perestroika in Paris 

Registration Link: Jane Smiley

Michael Connelly, The Age of Innocence

Registration Link: Michael Connelly

John Connolly and James Lee Burke in Conversation

Registration Link:  John Connolly and James Lee Burke

Registration Link:  Dave Barry

Registration Link:  Brad Thor

Registration Link:  Sandra Brown

SBF and Brad Thor Knock it out of the Park

The inaugural event for the 2021 Virtual Savannah Book Festival was a rousing success.  SBF was extremely fortunate to launch the series with renowned author Brad Thor in conversation with SCAD Writing Professor and SBF Board Member Jonathan Rabb.  It was a dynamic hour learning the ins and outs of the #1 NY Times Bestseller’s writing style, his relationship with his protagonist, and why most of his female characters meet an untimely death.

For those who were unable to join us last night, you are able to view the recording of the event by registering for the event and viewing the recording at your convenience. Those who did join us last night are also able to access the recording as well.  Registration Link:  https://www.crowdcast.io/e/iz54mhmk/register 

Savannah Book Festival enters the world of “virtual” to deliver world class offerings. 

In the midst of these very challenging times, the SBF Board of Directors and management have examined a variety of options for the 2021 Festival.  SBF’s discussions with publisher’s have shown a preponderance of authors unable to commit to in-person appearances at this time, even as far out as February 2021.  Due to these hurdles, SBF has been forced into the difficult decision of cancelling the February 2021 “in-person” Festival.

SBF has turned its efforts to bringing many of the wonderful aspects of our annual event to you in new and different forms.  SBF plans to present a series of virtual author programs later this year and continuing through 2021, live-streaming interactive appearances directly to our Festival audience.   These online events will feature the same up close and personal author presentations and conversations that have made the SBF so unique among book festivals.

Stay tuned for additional announcements regarding dates and author line-up.

SBF NEW LITERATI AND SPONSOR BENEFITS

SBF is pleased to announce a value added benefit for all LITERATI Members and Sponsors.  Supporters of the Festival will now receive 10% off book purchases YEAR ROUND at E. Shaver, bookseller, and Ex Libris.  Look for additional details following your donation to the Festival.  When you purchase your books with that 10% discount year round, please make sure you thank these generous companies for all they do to support the Savannah Book Festival.