What began as a two-day literary event in 1999, organized by George Mason University and the City of Fairfax, has expanded into a community-based, region-wide festival bringing together people of all ages - more than 8,000 in 2005 - and the festival grows on, thanks to generous partnerships and sustained community interest.

Each year, the festival:

• Advances children's education by hosting specially tailored writing workshops or readings for students at the elementary, middle and high school levels and by publishing an annual anthology of student writing in partnership with the Northern Virginia Writing Project and Dominion.
• Makes literature fun by showcasing literary events in an active, engaging atmosphere that includes skits, dance, storytelling and more, and by introducing young people to living authors whose work they're reading in the classroom
• Connects readers and authors at all levels, offering book lovers the chance to meet and greet their favorite writers and hear behind-the-scenes stories of writing and publishing
• Builds community by connecting with senior centers, book clubs, special interest community groups, libraries, bookstores and many others
• Encourages cultural diversity by combining common points of cultural reference with forums for discussion of our shared stories
• Gives sponsors a chance to support regional programs, and attracts the broadest possible cross-section of families and individuals throughout the area

Fall for the Book, an IRS-recognized non-profit corporation, is governed by a board of directors that meets throughout the year.