Just got tickets to go check out the special events going on at the Savannah Book Festival next February!

Don’t get confused – the festival is free, but there’s a couple of talks going on with more well-known authors that you need tickets for.

It’s totally worth it in my book (festival).

Ten bucks to listen to James Patterson make his keynote speech? Sold.

Ten bucks to see Paula Deen’s son Bobby Deen give a lifestyle presentation? You got it.

Ten bucks to listen to Dave Barry be funny?

I’m sorry, what?

Ten bucks?!? (I’m channeling my most incredulous, disbelieving voice possible, the voice I use when I scoff at the $8 price of a pair of flimsy socks at the mall.)

I would totally pay a hundred bucks to see Dave Barry be funny. I haven’t read everything he’s ever written, but that is one consistently funny dude. Josh and I got to see him interview Steve Martin at a benefit for the LA Public Library a couple of years ago, and He. Is. HILARIOUS.

No pressure, Dave. But ya better bring it.

There’s actually four events you need tickets for at the 2013 Savannah Book Festival, and they’re all on sale now:

• Kickoff Ceremony with Dave Barry on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 6 p.m. Barry is an author, humorist and Pulitzer Prize winner. He will discuss and sign his new suspense novel, Insane City, which will be published in January 2013.
• Lifestyle Presentation with Bobby Deen on Friday, February 15, 2013 at 1 p.m. Deen manages Paula Deen’s The Lady and Sons restaurant in Savannah with his brother Jamie. Bobby Deen hosts the Cooking Channel show, “Not My Mother’s Meals,” which debuted this year. He will give a cooking demonstration and sign his new cookbook, From Mama’s Table to Mine, which will be published in February 2013.
• Keynote Address with James Patterson on Friday, February 15, 2013 at 6 p.m. Patterson is the author of the popular Alex Cross and Women’s Murder Club detective series. He will discuss and sign his new novel, Alex Cross, Run, which will be published in February 2013.
• Closing Address with David Baldacci on Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 3 p.m. Baldacci is the author of numerous political suspense novels including Absolute Power and One Summer. He will discuss and sign his new novel, The Forgotten, which will be published in November 2012.

Tickets are available at the Trustees Theater. They may be purchased by phone at 912.525.5050 or online at savannahboxoffice.com. All tickets are only $10 as the cost is subsidized by the Festival and seating is limited.

This year’s Festival takes place February 14-17, 2013, Presidents Day weekend. The free events at Telfair Square – including presentations and book signings by around 40 authors – will be on Saturday, February 16, in six different venues around Telfair Square.

More About the Savannah Book Festival

The Savannah Book Festival Inc. is an independent, non-profit corporation led by a volunteer board of directors. It is committed to celebrating the written word and to offering all main day events free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Executive Director Robin Gold at 912.598.4040, info@savannahbookfestival.org or visit www.savannahbookfestival.org.