Planning has begun for an in-person 2022 Festival on Presidents’ Day weekend, February 17 – 20

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

The American Literature Association

The American Literature Association (ALA), a coalition of societies devoted to the study of american authors, is holding a symposium, in Savannah, GA on June 17 – 19, 2021 at the DeSoto Hotel.

Flannery O’Connor and Families

Keynote Speaker:  Minrose Gwin

Flannery O’Connor was a great and complex writer on the subject of family dynamics. What do we find when we examine the relationships between members of the metaphorical and
biological families to which O’Connor’s characters belong? How does O’Connor regard childhood? How do issues and themes of family life relate to O’Connor’s other themes?  These and other topics should provide for a lively weekend of literary exploration and good conversation. The ALA welcomes proposals for individual papers, complete panels, and roundtable discussions.

To learn more about the symposium, please click here: 2021 Oconnor Conference Poster

To register, please visit the ALA website:  americanliteratureassocation.org

Conference Fee: $175

A Message from international best-selling author Ann Patchett:

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

Up Next: 

Look for announcements shortly on upcoming virtual events

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.