Bestselling author Kristin Harmel will return to Fernandina Beach on Sunday, Sept. 27, for an afternoon event at Amelia Community Theatre.

The Amelia Island Book Festival is hosting "An Afternoon with Kristin Harmel" from 2 to 4 p.m., according to the festival. The program will center on Harmel's newest novel, "Meet Me in Paris," published in July by Gallery Books. It is her first work of contemporary fiction after a string of bestselling historical novels including "The Book of Lost Names" and "The Paris Daughter."

Harmel's books have been published in more than 30 languages, and she is co-founder of the online series "Friends & Fiction." Her website describes her as a New York Times bestselling author.

Local Author Savannah Carlisle Will Moderate

Local author Savannah Carlisle will moderate the conversation. Carlisle writes romance novels set in coastal communities under her pen name. Under her legal name, Kristi Dosh, she is a sports business reporter who has contributed to Forbes and ESPN. Her debut novel, "The Library of Second Chances," was published in May 2024.

Harmel last appeared at the festival's Celebrity Author Luncheon in fall 2022, according to a 2023 Amelia Islander report. The Sept. 27 event follows the festival's milestone 25th anniversary year.

Festival Proceeds Support Literacy Program

Proceeds will support the festival's literacy work, including its Authors in Schools program. Festival officials estimate the program has donated more than 156,600 books valued at approximately $1.89 million across Nassau County over more than two decades.

During the last school year, the festival distributed nearly 8,500 books worth an estimated $90,000 to students at 21 schools, reaching more than 9,000 children, according to the festival's website. The program brought 55 author visits to those schools. Recipients included the Meet Me at the Well homeschool group, which serves military families.

Festival Has Hosted Major Authors Since 2001

The festival was founded in 2001 by the late Don Parker and his wife, Andrea, along with Joe and Joani Selement. Over its history, it has brought authors including John Grisham, David Baldacci and Diana Gabaldon to Amelia Island.

Tickets are available at ameliaislandbookfestival.org.

Upcoming Community Dates

• Sunday, Sept. 27 — "An Afternoon with Kristin Harmel," 2 to 4 p.m., Amelia Community Theatre, Fernandina Beach
• Friday, Feb. 26, 2027 — Authors in Schools day, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nassau County schools