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VIDEO: Savannah Book Festival hosts Jeffery Deaver, Brad Thor free in Telfair Square

Unless you’ve been sleeping under a copy of “The Stand” lately, you’ve heard the news: Stephen King is coming to town as part of the Savannah Book Festival.

But you may not have heard about the host of other outstanding authors festival organizers are bringing to the Hostess City starting Feb. 15.

There’s obviously “the big three — Stephen King, Walter Isaacson and Brad Thor,” says Robin Gold, the festival’s executive director, demonstrating “how significant the Savannah Book Festival has become in just five years.”

Isaacon’s recent biography of Steve Jobs has anchored him atop nonfiction bestseller lists, while Thor’s most recent thriller, “Full Black,” has bolstered his already impressive credentials as a novelist.

Yet Gold sees other standouts among the forty or so authors who are part of this year’s lineup.

“Personally, as far as fiction is concerned, I will be excited to meet Jeffery Deaver, who has added ‘Carte Blanche,’ the latest James Bond book, to his prolific work of 28 thrillers,” she says. “And also Stewart O’Nan, whose latest book is a contemporary love story — ‘The Odds’ — but who is also a friend of Stephen King and a co-author of `Faithful,’ a book about the Boston Red Sox.”

Deaver and O’Nan, along with Thor, are among the many writers the public will have free access to Feb. 18. That portion of the festival has been beefed up for its fifth year, Gold noted.

“This year, the presentations on Saturday are extended from 9:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m., and we have six venues in and around Telfair Square with a choice of authors at every venue throughout the day.

“Every author has been allocated a full hour for their presentation and question and answer session — unlike many book festivals, we do not have author panels. After each author presentation — and we have 40 authors this year — they will go to the book sales and signing area in Telfair Square so people have the opportunity to purchase their favorite authors’ books and get their copies signed.”

Last year, the event generated so much interest, drawing more than 6,000 visitors in three days, that traffic became an issue on the public day. That won’t be the case this year, Gold says.

“We have arranged for a flat parking rate of $5 all day in local garages, with no need to stop on the way out. This will alleviate much of the congestion experienced by people driving to and from the festival in 2011.”

And that’s a good thing, because organizers are shooting for an attendance goal of 10,000 people Feb. 15 through 19. With the free Saturday lineup they released this week, that shouldn’t be a problem.

At 10:45 a.m., for example, you can sit in on a talk with NFL star Michael Oher — of “The Blind Side” fame — whose recently released memoir “I Beat the Odds” tells his side of the story of coming back from homelessness. At 1:30 p.m., Thor will talk about “Full Black,” answer audience questions and sign copies. And at 4 p.m., Deaver, who recast 007, will meet and greet the public.

Here’s the full schedule, unveiled Monday, of free speaking and signing events. For specific locations and more about the festival, check out www.savannahbookfestival.org.

FEB. 18 FREE SESSIONS

9:30-10:30 a.m.: Melissa Fay Greene, Tom Clavin, Janisse Ray, Libbie Summers, Hugh Golson, Jennifer Ryan, Spencer Quinn

10:45-11:45 a.m.: Michael Oher, Karl Marlantes, Jamie Ford, Charles Faudree, Martha Keber, Craig Johnson

Noon-1 p.m.: Pat Conroy, John Warley, Scotty Smiley, Bobbie Ann Mason, Lulu Powers, Stephen Hoffius, Susan M. Williams, Sonny Seiler, Kent Hannon

1:30-2:30 p.m.: Brad Thor, Jennifer Griffin, Greg Myre, Amy Hatvany, Virginia Willis, Carol Megathlin, Malcolm Beith

2:45-3:45 p.m.: Doug Brinkley, Irshad Manji, Laura Harrington, Randy Fertel, Mark Jarman, Patricia Cohen

4-5 p.m.: Jeffery Deaver, Touré, Hillary Jordan, Nan Chase, Dawn Baker, Taylor Polites

5:15-6:15 p.m.: Stewart O’Nan, S.C. Gwynne

FREE KEYNOTE ADDRESS

6 p.m. Feb. 17. Trinity United Methodist Church, 225 W. President St. Bestselling author Pat Conroy (“My Reading Life”) gives a free, public keynote address. Seating is first-come, first-served, with doors opening at 5 p.m.

TICKETED EVENTS

6:30 p.m. Feb. 15. The Plantation Club, Skidaway Island. An evening with best-selling novelist Brad Thor (“Full Black,” “The Last Patriot”). Dinner, author presentation, Q&A and book signing. $65

6:30 p.m. Feb. 16. Trustees Theater. An evening with best-selling biographer Walter Isaacson (“Steve Jobs”). Presentation, Q&A and book signing. $10

3 p.m. Feb. 19. Trustees Theater. Closing ceremony with legendary novelist Stephen King (“11/22/63”). Sold out.

IF YOU GO

What: 5th annual Savannah Book Festival

When: Feb. 15-19

Where: Telfair Square, various locations; Trustees Theater

Cost: All Feb. 18 sessions are free and open to the public

Info: www.savannahbookfestival.org


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