RobinsonFest 2024 has come and gone, and I’m left here basking in the glow of what was one of the most fun-filled, laughter-packed, and memorable weekends in recent years. If you were there, you know exactly what I mean. If you weren’t, well, it’s time to start planning for next year—because this past Fest in St. Augustine, Florida was the stuff of legend!

Thursday: Kicking Off the Fun

We kicked things off with our classic meet-and-greet at the Homewood Suites. The energy in the room was electric and it had nothing to do with me. We were old friends reuniting and newcomers diving in like seasoned Fest veterans. Imagine walking into a room of people you’ve never met and being welcomed like you’re long-lost BFFs with forty people. That’s the kind of welcome people get at these gatherings, and it blows me away every year. Before long, we were swapping stories, giving hugs, and laughing like we’d known each other forever. The night continued at Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grill, where the outdoor courtyard buzzed with conversations (which had the occasional battle against St. Augustine’s surprisingly loud and determined cicadas). Special shoutout to raffle winner Julie Carter, who joined us for dinner and brought an extra dose of cheer to the evening.

Friday: I See Dead People…and Pirates!

Friday morning saw us on a trolley tour that provided just the right mix of historical tidbits and context for what was to come: the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. There, we marveled at centuries-old stonework and found the secret room where a former commander had chained his wife and her lover to the wall before sealing them in—fun! Lunch at Meehan’s Irish Pub was a hit (their fish and chips is divine), especially with Heather Beth Eisenberg (that meal’s raffle winner) seated beside me.

The afternoon was a leisurely stroll through downtown, which turned into a dramatic, patience-testing wait to board the Black Raven pirate ship. Once on the vessel, though, the frustrations melted away as we were regaled with seafaring tales, yo-ho-ho-ing aplenty, and enough “Arrrghs” to last a lifetime. It was during this voyage, as I stood on the uppermost deck, looking over a ship full of friends laughing and having fun, that I was struck by a feeling of having accomplished something undeniably good.

Sure, I write novels that people love, but we all generally experience the stories separately. Coming together with a common love of characters and stories, in an atmosphere that allows us to stay casual is a unique experience. I don’t normally feel pride about my novels, but I do about RobinsonFest.

As night fell, we set out on the Ghosts & Gravestones trolley tour. Okay, I know, ‘trolley tour’ doesn’t sound exciting or scary, but on this tour, you spend as much time on your feet as you do in the trolley. Every stop along the way included encounters with amazingly acted characters from the past, and we had a tour of the old jail (where many people lost their lives over the years) and a frightening moment when a former inmate returned to lock us in. Very fun.

Saturday: Gators, Authors, and Shenanigans

Saturday morning started with a trip to the Alligator Farm, which became instantly unforgettable when I lost my bag. The infamous ‘Jeremy’s First Old Man Incident’—a moment we’ll be reliving for years. Thankfully, the bag (but not my dignity) was recovered in classic old man fashion, right where I left it—in the car. That said, I stand behind my belief that we actually lived through a noticeable Mandella Effect dimensional collision. Because I’m not the only one who remembers me carrying the bag. There was a moment, as we were entering, that someone wanted to read my shirt, but couldn’t because the bag’s strap was in the way. I moved it and a handful of people remembered the moment in detail, including one of the women working there! So, I prefer to think that me losing (not losing) my bag was an interdimensional merger, rather than an old man moment.

The big author book signing in the afternoon was packed with books, laughs, and heartfelt moments. Seeing so many of you with your well-loved, dog-eared copies of my novels (and a lot of fresh ones, too) always warms my heart. The highlight for me was the presence of several life-size prints of my face on sticks. We wrapped up the day with dinner at Piesano’s, where pasta, pizza, and stories were shared in equal measure, and I got to spend quality time with Ann Thomas, the raffle winner for that night’s meal. The evening ended with our ‘After Hours’ hangout back at the hotel. It was the perfect end to a perfect day—hanging out, connecting with people in sometimes profound ways, and another crazy cake provided by the amazing Sally Ross!

Sunday: Goodbyes and Gratitude

Sunday’s breakfast at Metro Diner was the final hurrah, full of sleepy smiles, a few stray pancakes, and seating shenanigans that left Al and Rae alone in a booth to plot next year’s hijinks, or maybe just grumble about being served last. Goodbyes aren’t usually fun, but with RobinsonFest, there’s always the knowledge that next year’s event will come soon enough.

Reflections and Thanks

As I sit here reminiscing about the whirlwind that was this year’s Fest, I’m struck most by the sense of community. It’s not just the activities or the locations—though those were fantastic—it’s the people. You, my fans-turned-friends, are what make the event into the uniquely heartwarming, laughter-laced gathering it is. Your kindness, excitement, and generosity to newcomers make this event more than just a weekend; it makes it a family reunion I look forward to every year.

So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for coming, for being you, and for making this year’s gathering one I’ll never forget. Start your countdowns and pack your bags, because RobinsonFest 2025 (our 10-year anniversary!!) is already in the works—and if 2024 was anything to go by, it’s going to be another one for the books.

Until then, stay wild, stay wonderful, and, for the love of gators, don’t misplace your bag, unless there are several people willing to support your Mandela Effect excuse.

—Jeremy