Texas Book Festival

The Texas Book Festival is a free annual book festival held in downtown Austin, Texas. It is one of the largest and most critically acclaimed book festivals in the United States. In addition to the annual book festival, Texas Book Festival — a 501(c)(3) non-profit — organizes year-round literary programming and community outreach programs.

Language

English

Genres

general lit, thriller, dark fantasy

Venue

Texas

Format

hybrid

Duration (days)

2

Next edition

14–15 Nov 2026; 2027 TBA (typical mid-Nov)

Author participation

Book submissions portal (2026 window Jan–May; check Jan 2027 for next): https://texasbookfestival.org/2026-festival-book-submissions/ — panels + signings for accepted titles; exhibitor marketplace

Attendance published by the festival

40000

Audience

This includes library grants to public libraries across Texas and author visits with book donations to Title I schools through its Reading Rock Stars and Real Reads programs.

Age policy

The festival takes place each fall in October or November and includes programming for children and adults.

Language notes

Listed working language: English

Genre notes

Primary focus: general lit; Also listed: thriller, dark fantasy

Awards

The Texas Writer Award, formerly known as the Bookend Award, is awarded each year to a Texas writer in recognition of outstanding contributions to Texas literature.

Past guests

Sandra Cisneros, Dan Rather, Jacqueline Woodson, Abraham Verghese, Ann Patchett, Laura Bush, Margaret Atwood, Celeste Ng, James McBride, other leading voices

Past editions

1995, 1996, 2001, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Festival site