The Florida Heritage Book Festival and Writers Conference

The Florida Heritage Book Festival & Writers Conference 2012

         Sept. 13–15, the Florida Heritage Book Festival & Writers Conference marks its fifth year as the region’s largest celebration honoring Florida’s literary arts. This year’s event includes a tribute to Pulitzer Prize–winning author Edna Buchanan; appearances by New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry; Florida Book Award winner William McKeen; Jeff Lindsay, author of the “Dexter” novels on which the popular Showtime series is based and many more.

         The two-day Writers Conference kicks off the Festival by providing writers and aspiring authors the opportunity to learn from writing and publishing professionals. The conference will be held September 13 and 14 at the St. Johns County Convention Center at the World Golf Village Renaissance Resort.

         Lindsay gives the conference a humorously sinister launch with his keynote talk, “Carpe Diem with Both Hands (Dexterously & Sinisterly),” at the same location, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.

         Friday evening, Sept. 14, Edna Buchanan will receive the 2012 Literary Legend Award at the annual Literary Legends Banquet also at the St. Johns County Convention Center, World Golf Village. The Festival is especially pleased to honor Edna Buchanan as the first female recipient of this prestigious award. Buchanan received the Pulitzer Prize for general news reporting while working as the police reporter for The Miami Herald, a position she held for 18 years.

         A posthumous Literary Legend Award will be presented to the renowned author Ernest Hemingway and will be accepted by his niece, Hilary Hemingway. On Saturday, Hilary will present a session based on the PBS special “Hemingway in Cuba,” inspired by her book of the same name

         The general public is invited to attend free author presentations, ask questions and have books autographed on Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Flagler College Ringhaver Student Center in downtown historic St. Augustine from 9am-5pm.  During that time, the Festival Marketplace will be open as publishers, authors and vendors will also offer other book-related products and prize drawings will be held throughout the day.

         Among the many authors presenting Saturday are Diana Abu-Jaber, “Birds of Paradise”; Jeff Ashton, “Imperfect Justice: Prosecuting Casey Anthony”; Lynne Barrett, “Magpies”; Steve Berry, “The Columbus Affair”; Adrian Fogelin, “Summer on the Moon”; Sen. Bob Graham, “Keys to the Kingdom”; James C. Clark, “Presidents in Florida”; Ward Larsen, “Fly by Night”; Scott Eyman, “Empire of Dreams: The Epic Life of Cecil B. DeMille”; and William McKeen, “Mile Marker Zero: The Moveable Feast of Key West.”

         The Florida Heritage Book Festival is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Libraries of St. Johns County and The St. Augustine Record News In Education program.

         Downtown parking is available on Saturday at the City Garage with free trolley transportation provided to Flagler College.

         Tickets for the Writers Conference, Lindsay keynote, and Literary Legends Banquet are now on sale at www.fhbookfest.com along with schedules and more information.
       
      Special Note: Early Bird Pricing ends August 7th.