"I speak at writing conferences all over the country, and the Suffolk Virginia Authors Festival is one of my favorite venues. Suffolk Tourism treats authors well, and they create an inviting space for readers of all genres. I highly recommend this event."
-- Jeffrey James Higgins, Award-winning, Bestselling Author, and SVAF Featured Author in 2025 
"In my nearly 20 years as an indie author, this was, by far, the best book festival I've ever participated in. The staff was courteous and attentive throughout the day. The attendees were inquisitive and eager for new books to read. My fellow authors, as always, were the best and brightest and willing to help. It was spectacular." 
-- Mark Piggott, Award-winning independent Author of several fantasy/steampunk novels, short stories, and SVAF Featured Author in 2025
An enjoyable time with fellow authors and readers at a well-run, comfortable book festival in a beautiful location.  Suffolk was a book lovers paradise, and I plan to be back!
--Pamela K. Kinney, Bestselling Author and SVAF Featured Author in 2025
​"I've been attending the Suffolk Authors Festival for many years and it keeps getting better. Lots of energy. Lots of fascinating and talented authors. Lots of panels to give wannabe authors the opportunity to learn from the masters."
--John DeDakis, Writing Coach, Manuscript Editor, Award-winning Author of the Lark Chadwick mystery-suspense-thriller series, and SVAF Featured Author in 2025
“The hospitality, abundance of book lovers, and the southern charm make the Suffolk Authors Festival a must-attend book event!” “The Suffolk Authors Festival with its hospitality, abundance of book lovers, and southern charm make this my favorite book event of the year!” “The Suffolk Authors Festival, the place to be for book lovers!”
--Heather Weidner, Author of the Jules Keen Glamping Mysteries, The Pearly Girls Mysteries, The Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries, The Delanie Fitzgerald Mysteries, and SVAF Featured Author in 2025
"I've never been to a festival quite like this one. It's cozy, it's held in a magnificent space, writers get a chance to connect with readers on a personal level, and everyone—readers and writers—is treated like family. These are the reasons it's my favorite festival, and these are the reasons I keep coming back."
--Amy M. Reade, USA Today Bestselling Author and SMAF Featured Author in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024
"SMAF was by far the best book festival I've ever attended. It was well-run, in a beautiful location, (had) wonderful writers for networking and enthusiastic readers! I can't wait until next year."
--Betsy Ashton, Bestselling Author and SMAF Featured Author in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022,  2023, 2025
"Many, many thanks for all the work the staff did to put together the amazing mystery festival. It just gets better every year! You all make us feel like rock stars, the way you pamper us. It was a wonderful weekend. I loved meeting all the enthusiastic readers, and I appreciated everything very much."
--Mary Ellen Hughes, National Bestselling Author and SMAF Featured Author in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 & 2022
"From an author's perspective, the event was very well-organized, from start to finish, with a variety of offerings to appeal to attendees and draw them in. I do many events throughout the year and all around the country, and I can honestly say that while this event is still relatively new, it was extremely well done and has the potential to grow into a real highlight of the city's cultural calendar and a yearly destination event for readers outside the immediate area."
--Kimberly Lang, USA Today Bestselling Author and SMAF Featured Author in 2016
"I travel year-round to conferences, book signings, and festivals meeting fans and talking books. There’s nothing I love more—and there’s no better book festival than the Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival in Suffolk, Virginia. The folks there have the best authors, greatest fans, and really know how to put on a fun event."
--Tj O'Connor, Gold Medal Winner of the 2015 Independent Publishers Book Awards for Mysteries and SMAF Featured
​   Author in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2024, 2025
"Sincere thanks to the amazing staff for putting on an incredible festival. I can’t tell you how many times I heard the authors talking about the extraordinary job you all did. We were so impressed with the attention to detail, the careful planning, and the wonderful treatment we received. I had a lovely time meeting new readers and spending time with my fellow writers. Kudos for a job well-done! Suffolk should be proud of hosting a fantastic event!"
--Kathryn O'Sullivan, National Bestselling Author, Agatha Award Winner, and SMAF Featured Author in 2015, 2016 & 2023
"Visiting Suffolk is like going home. You all have been so wonderful, and the readers are great too!"
--Gayle Trent (aka Gayle Leeson & Amanda Lee), Bestselling Author and SMAF Featured Author in 2014, 2016, 2018 & 2021
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