What you need to know for the Savannah Book Festival | Island Packet

For all you bibliophiles out there, the Savannah Book Festival begins Feb. 12 and runs through Feb. 15. Headliners this year are Janet Evanovich, author of the bounty hunting Stephanie Plum mysteries; satirist writer P.J. O'Rourke; and mother and son authors Anne and Christopher Rice.

The main day of the festival is Feb. 14, when nearly 40 authors will be presenting and signing their current and previous books.

If you're new to the festival, haven't been in a while or just want the inside scoop, we've got you covered on what to do and where to be to have the most booktacular experience possible.

BOOKS

Books must be purchased at the festival if you want to get them signed. When you buy a book, you'll get a signing card that will be checked. The organizers do this because 20 percent of proceeds go to the festival (which helps keep the main day free), and it helps the authors' sales.

Here's a tip: The Follett Book Sales tent will be open Feb. 13 from noon to 6 p.m. in Telfair Square. It is offering a 10 percent "Beat the Rush" discount for any purchases that day. The purchases will come with signing cards for Saturday.

It helps to get your book early, so you can get in signing lines faster. Signings are first come, first served, and because festival organizers are expecting more than 10,000 people at this year's event, any advantage helps.

You can bring more than one book to be signed at once.

If you can't get in to see your favorite author, take a chance and go see one of the others in that time slot. You may be pleasantly surprised.

PARKING

Parking at all city of Savannah garages is $5 per day.

Click here for a list of city parking garages and locations.

TRANSPORTATION

Getting to the venues at Telfair, Wright and Chippewa squares takes a 3-minute walk from one square to the next.

There will be Savannah Pedicab Service at all of the squares between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Feb. 14. If a cab isn't clearly visible, you can call 912-232-7900.

FOOD

Savannah Coffee Roasters, Chic-Fil-A and Wiley's Championship BBQ will be available for on-site chowing down. Of course, there's plenty of dining nearby. Check out the festival's list of recommended eateries here.

Follow reporter Erin Shaw at twitter.com/IPBG_ErinShaw.

RELATED

• Savannah Book Festival reveals emerging, best-selling authors for 2015 event, Oct. 23, 2014