Georgia - North Carolina
GEORGIA
Dahlonega Literary Festival
Location: Dahlonega
Date: November 7-8, 2009
This festival has the usual—author appearances and signings, talks, panel discussions, a choice of luncheons with various authors as well as a wonderful Welcoming Reception, and IQ Quiz and Scavenger Hunt, and a Sunday Country Club Breakfast Buffet.
Decatur Book Festival
Location: Decatur
Date: September 4-6, 2009
A multi-day event that features 14 stages packed with authors, live music, poetry readings, panel discussions, signings and cooking demonstrations. The children will be entertained with authors and illustrators, a parade and field trips and games/activities, while teens have their own activities. Live music and poetry, cooking demonstrations, the Southern Foodways Alliance Sunday Picnic, awards, the Rare and Collectible Book Fair, and the Writers’ Conference are all part of it too. Plus, the downtown square is filled with food vendors, a wine garden and plenty of other culinary establishments.
Georgia Literary Festival
Location: “Moveable”; it moves to a new location within the state each year.
Date: October 17, 2009
This festival focuses though not exclusively on homegrown authors. Over the course of three days, it offers readings, storytelling, theatre, a book sale, lectures, author appearances and signings, craft demonstrations, children’s activities, exhibitors and more.
Savannah Book Festival
Location: Savannah
Date: February 5-7, 2010
The festival is built around the elegant Telfair Square with seven venues, each of which has six consecutive author presentations in the areas of Fiction, More Fiction, History & Biography, Contemporary Issues, Lifestyle, Poetry, and Family Activities. In addition, there are exhibitors, food vendors, and book sales.
HAWAII
Hawaii Book & Music Festival
Location: Honolulu
Date: May 22-23, 2010
Authors and musicians highlight the festival that celebrates Hawaiian culture. The different stages—Mauka Authors, Makai Authors, Main Stage, Mission Memorial Auditorium, Hawaii Council for the Humanities, Hawaiian Culture, Sustainability, Talk Story Stage, Keiki Stage, and Keiki Authors & Illustrators—offer continuous entertainment. In addition, numerous activities and a beer & wine garden provide more possibilities. Each evening a free sunset concerts marks the end of the day.
IDAHO
Ernest Hemingway Symposium
Location: Sun Valley
Date: October 22-23, 2009
A festival devoted to this American author, a favorite of many readers, that offers talks by authors and editors of other publications about Hemingway, a book fair, guided tours, slide presentations, student readings, a dinner at Hemingway’s home, a film showing and an open mic night.
ILLINOIS
Latino Book & Family Festival
Location: Chicago
Month: April 170-18, 2010
Launched in 1997, this weekend event has already expanded to several major markets, and is planning for more in the near future. It is co-hosted by actor and activist Edward James Olmos. it is an incredible event that includes books and authors (naturally) as well as vendors in career and education, crafts and travel, health, and home ownership. They have several stages, food courts, an art exhibition theatre, science, and a Writing Exhibition.
Mystery and More Book Fair
Location: Chicago
Date: March (specific date for 2010 to be announced soon)
More of a book sale then a book festival, this annual fundraising event for the Newberry Library offers thousands of hardcover and paperback mysteries including true crime, mystery classics, mysteries of the heart (AKA romance), and science fiction. Admission is free for each of the two days.
Newberry Book Fair
Location: Chicago
Date: July 29-August 1, 2010
This is a massive used book sale (which I included because it could, I suppose, if one stretched the meaning far enough, be a sort of book festival) that is going to be like heaven for used book lovers. It runs for four days, and admission is free at all times.
Printers Row Book Fair
Location: Chicago
Date: June 5-6, 2010
One of the nation’s largest book festivals, this one features nearly 200 author programs, 150 exhibitors, a Dictionary-Define-a-Thon, and a Kids Alley with storytelling, costumed characters, performances, sing-alongs and special activities.
INDIANA
Boucheron World Mystery Convention
Location: Indianapolis
Date: October 15-18, 2009
Bouchercon celebrates the mystery genre with a convention program for fans that includes panel discussions, lectures, and other presentations by about 400-500 mystery writers and experts on the genre, covering all aspects of mystery fiction, thrillers, detective stories, suspense novels, and more. It moves around the U.S. and has even visited England. The cost is $150.
IOWA
Iowa City Book Festival
Location: Iowa City
Date: July (specific date for 2010 to be announced soon)
This festival will be a mix of bookseller tables with new and used books for sale, a small music stage, children’s activities, food vendors, book arts demonstrations, readings, a wide array of panel discussions and workshops, and a special pre-festival Author Dinner.
KANSAS
River City Reading Festival
Location: Lawrence
Date: September (specific date for 2010 to be announced soon)
Though they are skipping 2009 due to economic conditions, the organizers expect to be back in 2010 with another festival full of author readings, book signings, children's storytime and activities, musical performances, and more.
KENTUCKY
Kentucky Book Fair
Location: Louisville
Date: November 7, 2009
More than 200 authors now visit this book fair along with lots of vendors and special children’s events. All profits are donated to school and public libraries throughout the state.
Southern Kentucky Book Fest
Location: Bowling Green
Date: Apil 17, 2010
“Open a book, open your mind” is their motto, and their focus on encouraging reading is demonstrated through their (pre-festival and festival) activities: 1Read for teens, Books & Baskets, Children’s Book Week, a used book sale, personal meetings between children and the authors, a Meet-the-Authors Reception, seven separate rooms each with its own panel and author presentations.
LOUISIANA
Author! Author! Shreveport’s Celebration of the Written Word
Location: Shreveport
Date: June (specific date for 2010 to be announced soon)
This festival promotes reading in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas with not only guest authors and the usual book festival activities such as workshops, panels and author presentations and signings, but also a Pre-Opening Event and a Grand Ball.
Louisiana Book Festival
Location: Baton Rouge
Date: October 17, 2009
Featuring a wide array of authors covering many genres from Arts to Westerns, and activities specially for children and teens (including a Young Readers Pavilion), cooking demonstrations and an entertainment stage.
New Orleans Book Fair
Location: New Orleans
Date: November 7, 2009
More of a street fair than an organized book festival, this one offers vendors who populate the 500-600 blocks of Frenchman Street with tables, handmade signs, books, and a lot of fun. It’s obviously a casual drop-in affair with amusing overtones.
Tennessee Williams / New Orleans Literary Festival
Location: New Orleans
Date: March 24-28, 2010
Devoted specifically to Williams, this festival is a five-day celebration that encompasses scholars, writers and performing artists in panel discussions, theatrical and musical performances, a one-act play competition, lectures, literary walking tours, performances and a book fair.
MAINE
Bangor Book Festival
Location: Bangor
Date: The 2010 dates are still to be announced.
Beginning with the Friday night opening night reception keynote speaker Douglas Preston, this festival continues through Saturday with a wide selection of authors presenting their subjects in panel discussions and solo presentations, signings, children’s stories, writers’ workshops, and more.
Maine Book & Paper Show
Location: S. Portland
Date: September 20, 2009
For those interested in rare and collectible books as well as related ephemera, this annual one-day show offers a good opportunity to enjoy their pleasures.
Maine Festival of the Book
Location: Portland
Date: April 9-10, 2010
Both writers and readers will enjoy four days of author readings and signings, panel discussions, and performances, all of which are free. Two special events—Opening Night: A Reception with the Authors and Youth Outreach—require paid tickets, but the Annual Poetry Party and a dramatic reading as well as everything else is free.
Maine Literary Festival
Location: Camden
Date: November 5-6, 2009
This festival has a fee ranging from $95 for an early-bird full ticket to all sessions and all social events to $50 for the Keynote Lecture and Reception. Though they have yet posted their schedule for the 2009 event, the theme—Cross-cultural Experiences: Literature of New Voices in America—notes that “writers from diverse cultures and ethnic experiences, whose award-winning novels, non-fiction and poetry are astounding readers and critics with their beauty, insight and reflection” will be participating.
MARYLAND
Baltimore Book Festival
Location: Baltimore
Date: September 25-27, 2009
From Friday evening through Sunday evening, this festival hums with a go-everywhere-and-do-everything attitude. Panels, authors, discussions, lectures, music, storytelling, walking tours, theatre, poetry readings, open mike readings plus “fun stuff”: various neighborhood events, a book swap, handwriting analysis, a crafts corridor, a book arts tent, magazine stand and storybook parade.
Bethesda Literary Festival
Location: Bethesda
Date: April (specific date for 2010 to be announced soon)
Two-and-a-half days of literary happenings include a poetry slam, a children’s storytime, panels and solo presentations by visiting authors, book signings, a special authors’ reception, and a variety of panel discussions.
Capital BookFest
Location: Lanham
Date: October 3, 2009
Film/discussions, author presentations and signings, a Poetry/Teen stage, a Lifestyle Salon, and a fantastic array of panel discussions highlight this one-day festival in the nation’s capital.
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair
Location: Boston
Date: November 13-15, 2009
Rare books. Collectible books. Unusual books. Related ephemera. All of this, seminars, appraisals, and more, can be found at one of the premier book fairs in the country. From Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon more than 120 rare book dealers will be sharing and dealing in some of the world’s most beautiful books.
Children’s Book Festival
Location: Boston
Date: September 6, 2009
The focus is on children, and for their entertainment this festival will have readings by more than twenty children’s book authors and illustrators, book signings, musical entertainment, appearances by costumed characters, giveaways, and more. And it’s all free.
Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival
Location: Chilmark
Date: August (odd years)
A bi-annual festival on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, this one focuses on authors. They have three reading tents in which invited authors appear all day to discuss their subjects and sign their books. An opening-night reception includes champagne and a distinguished panel discussion gives attendees the chance to meet the authors in a private setting.
Newburyport Literary Festival
Location: Newburyport
Date: April (specific date for 2010 to be announced soon)
This festival opens on Friday evening with a special Dinner with the Authors. Saturday offers a full day of activities, including all the usual and wonderful readings, signings, panel discussions, children’s activities, and more.
Pioneer Valley Book & Ephemera Fair
Location: Newburyport
Date: October 18, 2009
Rare and collectible books and related ephemera will be starring in this show. If you can’t bring your wallets, being your appreciation. You’ll be glad you did.
MICHIGAN
Ann Arbor Book Festival
Location: Ann Arbor
Date: May 15, 2010
Still in its early years, this festival nonetheless is doing it right—its events run nearly three weeks, though the main days are on May 15-17. A pre-festival Scavenger Hunt using bookstores, libraries and fairy door establishments helps set the mood. There is an antiquarian book fair, a B&N book fair, author visits to schools, children’s events, a literacy symposium, a writers’ conference, a street festival, plenty of authors, a teen writing contest and much more.
MINNESOTA
Twin Cities Book Festival
Location: Minneapolis
Date: October 10, 2009
This festival features a wide range of exhibitors, readings, talks and signings by local and national authors, book arts activities, children’s events, a used book sale and Literary Magazine Fair plus more.
MISSISSIPPI
Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival
Location: Hattiesburg
Date: April 7-9, 2010
Held over three days, this festival offers workshops, lectures, signings, author luncheons and a closing reception. Registration is recommended.
Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration
Location: Natchez
Date: February 25-28, 2010
This five-day literary and cultural event which each year focuses on a different general aspect of southern history features lectures by nationally known scholars and writers, related films, tours, book signings, exhibits, plays, readings, concerts, entertainments and meals.
Oxford Conference for the Book
Location: Oxford
Date: March 4-6, 2010
Not quite a book festival, yet not strictly a conference, this “conference” offers the public the chance to attend a series of program sessions without charge. Other opportunities include a Mississippi Delta Literary Tour, a Writers Workshop and a Youth Authors Fair plus a buffet, several lunches and a dinner; there are charges for these.
Tennessee Williams Festival
Location: Clarksdale
Date: October 16-17, 2009
This literary festival celebrates the role that Clarksdale, its cultural heritage, and its people had on this great American playwright. Each year, the festival focuses on one play, and invites Williams scholars, theatre professionals, and artists to present lectures, readings, and dramatizations. One-act plays are presented on front porches of homes in the historic neighborhood where receptions also take place. Winners of an acting contest recreate their performances at a Saturday festival finale.
MISSOURI
Children’s Literature Festival
Location: Warrensburg
Date: March 14-16, 2010
Presented by Central Missouri State University’s library, this festival is geared specifically to children in grades 4-10. Pre-registration (there is a fee) is required for both adults and children, which includes a luncheon. More than 40 authors attend to share their books and stores.
The Big Read
Location: St. Louis
Date: October 10, 2009
This festival is designed in conjunction with the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) to provide communities to come together to read, discuss and celebrate one book on that day. In 2009, that book is The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. During that day, there will be publishers, booksellers, national authors, readings, book signings, panel discussions, workshops, demonstrations and an interactive children's area with readings, costumed characters, and projects that engage the young reader.
MONTANA
Montana Festival of the Book
Location: Missoula
Date: October 22-24, 2009
Focusing on the region’s writers, this festival offering more than 50 events including readings, panels, exhibits, demonstrations, signings, workshops, entertainment, receptions. Special events include a Dictionary Define-a-Thon, staged readings, a book appraisal, an author’s reception and silent auction.
NEBRASKA
Nebraska Book Festival
Location: Lincoln
Date: November 14, 2009
Readings and presentations, book signings, poet sightings, photo exhibits, award ceremonies, aardvarks and String Beans, music and food, a film screening, and other fun activities for children and adults are what one can expect to find at this book festival. Oh, and books too.
NEVADA
National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Location: Elko
Date: January 23-30, 2010
Thousands of cowboys and cowgirls, poets and musicians, artisans and scholars, rural people and city folks meet to celebrate, in a week-long event, the artistic traditions of the region with several special events and plenty of poetry.
Vegas Valley Book Festival
Location: Las Vegas
Date: November 4-8, 2009
Panel discussions, readings, exhibits, poetry and book signings, authors, writers’ workshops, art exhibits, spoken word performances and a massive book sale are all included in this book festival.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Book ‘Em: Buy a Book and Stop a Crook
Location: Lebanon
Date: October 4, 2009
A unique idea for a book festival, but one that works extremely well! Its purpose is to raise funds for organizations dedicated to increasing literacy rates, decreasing crime rates, helping police solve crimes, and raising public awareness of the link between high illiteracy rates and high crime rates. The Lebanon Police Department is the primary host for this fair which features dozens of authors in many genres who talk about writing, the publishing industry and other topics of interests and entertainment for children.
Children’s Literature Festival
Location: Keene
Date: October 31, 2009
This festival is a bit different, being a planned program where several speakers are the highlight of a day that also offers a lunch, author book sales (but no personal signings) and a end-of-the-day reception. Check the site for current costs.
Granite State Book & Ephemera Fair (scroll down)
Location: Bedford
Date: August (specific date for 2010 to be announced soon)
Rare and collectible books and related ephemera are the focus on this fair. Even if you don’t buy these, attending, seeing them, and talking to the dealers can be fun.
NEW JERSEY
Collingswood Book Festival
Location: Collingswood
Date: October 3, 2009
A week of activities lead up to this day-long festival which includes appearances by adult and children’s authors, poetry readings, and plenty of music and live theatre performances.
Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival
Location: Stanhope
Date: September (even years)
The largest poetry event in North America, this festival offers readings, music, stories, performances, conversations and more—all centered around poetry. The web site’s latest update notes that because of community support, they are reconsidering canceling the event. Check the site for the latest information.
NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque Antiquarian Book Fair
Location: Albuquerque
Date: April 2-3, 2010
One of the larger antiquarian book fairs, this one has a number of dealers whose specialties include books, fine bindings, ephemera, maps, book arts, photographs and prints.
Border Book Festival
Location: Mesilla
Date: April (specific date for 2010 to be announced soon)
This festival offers readings, school outreach visits, visits with the authors, a parade, a bazaar, talks and lectures, a gala dinner, award presentations, concerts, writing workshops and more.
Santa Fe Antiquarian Book Show
Location: Santa Fe
Date: October 2-3, 2009
Like other antiquarian shows, this one has dealers who specialize in used and antiquarian books, ephemera, postcards, photographs, maps and posters. If you like literary beauty, it’s worth attending. You might even win a night’s stay at a local resort hotel.
NEW YORK
Albany Antiquarian Book Fair
Location: Albany
Date: November 8, 2009
Sixty dealers will be here to sell antiquarian and out-of-print books, manuscripts, autographs, postcards, maps, posters, photographs and ephemera.
Brooklyn Book Festival
Location: Brooklyn
Date: September 13, 2009
A relatively new, but excellent addition, this full-day event offers numerous readings and panels, both indoor and outdoor, a children’s area, young writers’ pavilion, and more than 100 exhibitors with thousands of books, and a gala VIP event that evening.
Festival of New French Writing
Location: New York City
Date: February (odd years) (specific date for 2010 to be announced soon)
This festival is a series of one-on-one discussions between French authors and American cultural critics over two-and-a-half days. The conversations will “shed light on the concerns and accomplishments of writers in France today as well as the similarities and differences that the commitment to writing implies in France and in the U.S.” The festival’s goal is to attract American readers to modern French and Francophone fiction and nonfiction.
Great Children's Read
Location: New York City
Date: October 4, 2009
The Great Children’s Read takes place on the grounds of Columbia University and offers a day of outdoor family fun with children’s books and authors, live entertainment, an onsite bookstore, readings, signings and giveaways.
Harlem Book Fair
Location: Harlem
Date: July (specific date for 2010 to be announced soon)
A popular book festival that features African American authors, performers and offers a large variety of panel discussions, outdoor stage events, a young readers’ pavilion, book awards, an Author Lunch and Sunday Author Brunch and more. Beginning in 2008, they are also having an HBF/Bermuda Book Festival or as they term it, the “Harlem Book Fair on a Beach!”
I Love to Read Book Fair
Location: Brooklyn, New York City
Date: February (specific date for 2010 to be announced soon)
A new local book festival that focuses on Black History Month and multiculturalism, this event offers an opening night reception and a full day of authors.
New York Antiquarian Book Fair
Location: New York City
Date: April 8-11. 2010
The premier antiquarian book fair, the New York one emphasizes the best of the rare books. Dealers from all over the world attend with their finest offerings. If you get the chance to go, this should not be missed.
New York Book Festival
Location: New York City
Date: June (specific date for 2010 to be announced soon)
This festival, which takes place near the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park, offers author readings, book signings, vendor demonstrations, food, live music, and children’s entertainment including storytelling, clowns performing, doing face-painting and twisting balloon animals.
PEN World Voices Festival
Location: New York City
Date: April 26-May 2, 2010
One hundred and sixty established and emerging writers from forty countries will converge in New York City to engage in conversations, panels, performances, and readings around a single theme over the course of six days. Special events include Opening Night, the Arthur Miller Freedom to Write lecture, and the PEN Cabaret.
Queens Book and Health Fair
Location: Queens
Date: September 12, 2009
The festival is a bit unusual in that it promotes not only good reading but good health. It seems an admirable idea that is well served by the authors, publishing professionals, and health experts who share their expertise.
Rochester Antiquarian Book Fair
Location: Rochester
Date: September 12, 2009
All bibliophiles, book lovers, and paper fetishists are welcome to come and enjoy hard-to-find, unusual, out-of-print,rare, beautiful, and scholarly books; ephemera; prints and photographica that this fair specializes in during this one-day event.
Rochester Children’s Book Festival
Location: Rochester
Date: November 7, 2009
Held on the campus of Monroe Community College, this festival focuses on young readers from tots to teens. In addition to the usual activities of readings, signings, you’ll find author and illustrator presentations and demonstrations, a Read to Me Corner for the youngest readers, the One Busy Bookworm Place for pre-K and elementary school-age children, a Tween Time for those between the ages of nine and 13, and a special Just for Teens program.
NORTH CAROLINA
Bookmarks Book Festival
Location: Winston-Salem
Date: September 12, 2009
A one-day festival that nevertheless offers a rich variety of events. The authors, readings, panels, storytelling, demonstrations, writing workshops, book signings, interactive activities such as Games Readers Play and Literary Parties, reading-related exhibitors and food vendors all work to make this a very special events.
Carolina Mountains Literary Festival
Location: Burnsville
Date: September 11-12, 2009
This festival is noticeably different from most. Their mission is to bring together authors, readers, novice writers, listeners, and learners in small, intimate settings for discussions with the intent of raising “awareness of works of literary significance from smaller presses . . . to create a little literary community which is in dialog with readers, aspiring writers, and established authors about craft and ideas of sustaining merit.” Thus, there are no outside vendors. Authors are encouraged to roam the town, attending sessions they like. The events are spread out all over the town, and most are within walking distance. Intimacy is key here, and what a great idea it is!
Charlotte Literary Festival
Location: Charlotte
Date: September 5-6, 2009
This small but growing festival hosts local, regional and national authors in various genres who greet guests at panels, presentations and signings. Also included are bands, an Authors’ Lane, vendors, and a Kids’ Corner that includes an arts and crafts fair. There are also storytellers and other live entertainment as well as special events.
Great Smoky Mountain Book Fair
Location: Sylva
Date: November 14, 2009
More than fifty authors will be attending this book fair including a balladeer, poets, novelists, nonfiction authors, humorists, journalists, playwrights, translators, publishes, news editors, and more. Their schedule is coming soon.
Novell Festival of Reading
Location: Charlotte
Date: September 26-October 31, 2009
“A festival celebrating books and learning” is the tagline for this four-week long fair which offers evenings with various authors, a Carolina Writers Night, a Book Brunch, a WordPlay Saturday, book signings and readings and more.
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