Our Story
It all started with a realization…
The Fredericksburg Independent Book Festival (FiBF) was born from a simple yet powerful reality: independent authors need a platform to showcase their work and connect with readers.
After attending the Gaithersburg Book Festival, founder James Noll recognized a common challenge faced by indie authors—we’re often on our own when it comes to promotion. Inspired by the thriving arts scene in Fredericksburg, he set out to create a literary event that would celebrate independent authors and their contributions to storytelling.
On September 24, 2016, FiBF held its inaugural event at Riverfront Park, drawing over 800 attendees and 100+ authors in its first year. With the help of fellow authors Amy Bayne and Chris Jones, the festival quickly became a premier literary event, providing a vibrant space for authors, publishers, and book lovers to connect. While Amy has since moved on from the festival, her contributions as a founding member helped lay the foundation for its ongoing success.
Since then, the festival has grown tremendously, peaking at over 2,000 attendees in 2019. Now in its eighth year, FiBF continues to thrive, bringing together a diverse community of writers, readers, and industry professionals. With a steadfast commitment to supporting independent voices, the Fredericksburg Independent Book Festival isn’t just an event—it’s a movement.
We have no plans to slow down. Join us as we celebrate the power of independent storytelling!
We are driven by a rock solid mission.
Our mission is to provide a venue for local authors, graphic novelists, publishers, book artists to market their work, and to foster an interest in reading, writing, and literature.
Meet the Founders
James Noll
Founder
James Noll has worked as a sandwich maker, a yogurt dispenser, a day care provider, a video store clerk, a day care provider (again), a summer camp counselor, a waiter, a prep. cook, a sandwich maker (again), a line cook, a security guard, a line cook (again), a waiter (again), a bartender, a librarian, and a teacher. Somewhere in there he played drums in punk rock bands, recorded several albums, and wrote dozens of short stories and a handful of novels.
Chris Jones
Co-Founder
Chris Jones is an award-winning journalist, a magazine editor, and founder of Chris Jones Ink, a content writing and marketing studio.
Throughout his journalism career, Chris has interviewed notable celebrities like HGTV personality Sabrina Soto, Food Network star Rachael Ray, and Daphne Maxwell Reid from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air among others.
Chris has authored two books and has ghostwritten and collaborated on five other books, as well as helping over a dozen authors publish their books both on their own and through hybrid publisher Morgan James Publihing.
When not writing or editing, he loves playing retro video games on his Raspberry Pi, reading, Zumba, and experimenting with personal development.
Chris lives with his wife and children in Williamsburg, Virginia. Visit ChrisJonesInk.com to learn more about him.