Savannah Book Festival

The Savannah Book Festival 2025 is over—finished, done, and a great success.

Did you ever wonder how this absolutely fabulous gift to us admirers of the written word began?

Well.

It started in 2005 when avid reader Matt Prickett got a bee in his baseball cap about inviting famous and infamous authors to Savannah. He had no idea how a modest beginning three years later in Trinity Methodist Church would explode into an internationally known affair.

The location he chose was prime—Mary Telfair’s historic home on one side, a multi-storied city parking lot at the back, and a tree-shaded square in the front where authors’ books could be sold and, best of all, personally autographed.

His wife, Jane Griffin, who was then an executive with one of the world’s foremost management consulting firms, was on tap for expert advice.

Perfect.

All he needed was money and volunteers. He got both.

Now, 18 years and 18 festivals later, my daughter Tamela, her husband Nicholas, and I joined the hundreds of volunteers who donned the requisite uniform of black bottoms and white tops and reported for duty at the Savannah Book Festival 2025.

This year’s festival featured seven venues and 40 authors presenting over a period of four days, Feb. 6-9.

At these events, authors gave talks, interacted in panel discussions, answered questions from the audience, and, yes, they personally signed their books for you.

Boggles the mind. Let your Kindle top that.

Last year, we had usher duty at the Ben Tucker Theatre on Montgomery Street. No one is allowed in the theater once the author begins his talk, and my job was to keep latecomers out. I manned that door like a lapsed Swiss Guard and let a few Johnny-come-latelies, all sweaty and red in the face from running across town from their last venue, tiptoe in ever so quietly—and stand in the shadows. Shh… don’t tell on me.

This year, we were assigned to the Lucas Theatre.

It was Sunday, the last day. Author Ben Mezrich was to give the closing address at 2 p.m. We were to meet our director for instructions at noon.

Heaven-forbid we should be tardy, so we left Bluffton at ten, sailed over the Talmadge Bridge thirty minutes later, and found a parking space within spitting distance of the theater. We were so early no one was there.

The doors were locked. What to do?

No problem. Leopold’s was right around the corner. We’d eat. But they only sold ice cream. Would a double scoop of Tutti Frutti, Rum Raisin, or Chocolate Chewies & Cream sustain us until supper time?

Instead, we ended up down the street at the Funky Brunch Cafe with takeout orders for grilled cheese sandwiches. So sensible. And the cheapest thing on the menu.

By the time we got back to the theater, the doors were open, and we joined a small group of volunteers standing in the lobby.

Two women, official-looking badges draped around their necks, were efficiently, methodically, and quietly unloading boxes of Mezrich’s books onto display sale tables.

Everything was in place—security at the door, a cleaner busily polishing the already sparkling glass, box office lights on.

We walked inside the darkened theater and took our seats on either side of the aisle.

Orientation time. For all the good it did me, I took notes. There were rules for making rules. Thank goodness abundant information was in the program.

We were each given an identification badge that hung on a yellow ribbon lanyard and were assigned to a station.

Mine was on the far side of the theater, all the way down front.

An usher’s job was to check tickets and make sure everyone got to their proper seat, and with only a few minor mishaps I decline to relate, I did.

It was a grand time. I exchanged hugs with a few friends, met some charming people, and at last, when everyone was seated and the house lights dimmed, I could sit back, relax, and enjoy the wit and humor of Harvard grad, film writer, raconteur, and true Renaissance man, author Ben Mezrich.

Check out his latest books:

• The Social Network

• The Mistress and the Key

Long day, fun day, learned a lot. See you next year? Mark your calendars!

Savannah Book Festival 2026

February 5-8

Don’t miss it.

Annelore Harrell’s journey is a tapestry woven with fascinating experiences and extraordinary accomplishments. Even at 92 in 2025, Annelore’s energy and zest for life continue to inspire. Annelore Harrell’s story is a testament to living with passion, resilience, and an unquenchable thirst for adventure.