ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (Aug. 17) – Florida’s rich and colorful literary heritage will be celebrated September 11-12 when the Florida Heritage Book Festival returns to St. Augustine. Featuring presentations by outstanding Florida authors, writing workshops and a keynote presentation by U.S. Senator Mel Martinez, the festival is sure to delight book lovers and inspire aspiring authors.

The Florida Heritage Book Festival kicks off on Friday, September 11, with a full day of writers workshops held in the Flagler Ballroom of St. Augustine’s Casa Monica Hotel. Presented by best-selling authors and publishing professionals, the workshops cover a wide range of topics related to the craft of writing and how to get published. Registration for the workshops is $60. In addition, festival writers will be making presentation throughout the day at all of St. Johns County’s public schools.

Throughout Saturday, September 12, the festival will feature presentations by more than 20 outstanding authors – including Stetson Kennedy and Dr. Michael Gannon. Topics will cover all facets of writing, as well as how to get published. Admission to these presentations, which take place on the campus of Flagler College, is free of charge. The keynote luncheon speaker will be U.S. Senator Mel Martinez who will speak about his assimilation into American society and living the American dream. Reservations for the 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. luncheon are $45 each.

All proceeds from the Florida Heritage Book Festival benefit the St. Johns County Friends of the Library organizations and the Newspaper in Education program sponsored by The St. Augustine Record. The Florida Heritage Book Festival is supported in part by a grant from the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council.

Full details on the 2009 Florida Heritage Book Festival, including reservations and ticket purchases, may be found at the festival’s official website www.fhbookfest.com .

For more information on events and vacation opportunities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, call the Visitors and Convention Bureau at 1.800.653.2489 or visit www.Getaway4Florida.

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