About us!

Brief History of booksALIVE

 

booksALIVE  was conceived during the summer of 1999 to promote literacy, ideas, and imagination.  It has grown into one of the most respected reading and writing festivals of its kind from Jacksonville, Florida to Jackson, Mississippi.

 Authors speaking at the festivals have included Pulitzer Prize winners, Governors, a United States Senator, a Presidential candidate, a “60 Minutes” network producer (who is currently the President of the Country Music Network) and New York Times bestselling authors.

 The festival draws readers from a one hundred mile radius and is covered by media from   Northwest Florida and Southeast Alabama.

 An average of 400 people annually attends the festival.  Participation in booksALIVE surpassed the 1000 person mark when the 2008 school lecture tour was implemented.

 In 2008, the festival partnered with Florida State University and diversified into a two day festival.  One entire day of Creative Writing Workshops is presented, featuring published instructors and award winning writers.  Due to the success of these workshops, the Panama City campus of Florida State University is offering Creative Writing classes as part of their curriculum: a true accomplishment and example of the power and influence of booksALIVE .

 The final event of the weekend is a lovely Sponsor Appreciation Gala, where festival participating authors, sponsors and guests spend time on a more personal basis and visit one-to-one with one another.

 In 2010 the festival celebrates its Eleventh Anniversary.  booksALIVE  continues to reign as the signature project of the Bay County Public Library

 

Bettina Mead

booksALIVE Festival Chair

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Highlights