Events calendar
Book fairs and literary festivals, 2026 to 2028
Dates, places and official links for the book fairs and literary festivals worth knowing about as an independent author. Dates can change, so check the event website before you book travel.
- 68 events in the next 24 months
- 25 with confirmed dates
- Links go to each event's own website
Coming up next
Every fair and festival, month by month
Where the organiser has announced dates, you see them. Where they haven't yet, you see the month the event usually happens and what we know so far. Past events drop off on their own.
68 events
November 2026
Sharjah International Book Fair
Nov 4–15, 2026
Sharjah, UAEExpo Centre Sharjah
One of the world's largest book fairs by attendance, combining a public fair with a professional publishers' conference and rights programme.
Guest of Honour: Oman.
Event website for Sharjah International Book Fair (opens in a new tab)Author Nation (successor to 20Books Vegas)
Nov 10–13, 2026
Las Vegas, USAHorseshoe Las Vegas
A large indie-author business conference covering self-publishing, ads, audio and author-business strategy.
Event website for Author Nation (successor to 20Books Vegas) (opens in a new tab)Texas Book Festival
Nov 14–15, 2026
Austin, USATexas State Capitol and surrounding downtown Austin venues
A free weekend festival in and around the Texas State Capitol with author sessions, signings, exhibitor tents and a children's area.
Event website for Texas Book Festival (opens in a new tab)Miami Book Fair
Nov 15–22, 2026
Miami, USAMiami Dade College, Wolfson Campus (downtown Miami)
One of the largest literary festivals in the US, with a week of author evenings and a three-day downtown street fair, programmed in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.
Street Fair weekend is 2026-11-20 to 2026-11-22.
Event website for Miami Book Fair (opens in a new tab)Hay Festival Winter Weekend
Nov 26–29, 2026
Hay-on-Wye, UKHay-on-Wye town venues
A short winter edition of Hay Festival with talks, readings and seasonal events in Hay-on-Wye.
Event website for Hay Festival Winter Weekend (opens in a new tab)Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL Guadalajara)
Nov 28 – Dec 6, 2026
Guadalajara, MexicoExpo Guadalajara
The most important Spanish-language book fair in the world, with nine days of trade and public programming.
Guest of Honour: Italy.
Event website for Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL Guadalajara) (opens in a new tab)January 2027
Jaipur Literature Festival
Jan 14–18, 2027
Jaipur, IndiaHotel Clarks Amer (2026 venue)
A huge free literary festival in Jaipur featuring hundreds of writers from India and abroad, plus the Jaipur BookMark publishing conference.
Venue for 2027 not stated in the source; 2026 was held at Hotel Clarks Amer.
Event website for Jaipur Literature Festival (opens in a new tab)February 2027
Karachi Literature Festival
Dates TBC, usually February or March
Karachi, PakistanBeach Luxury Hotel (2026 venue)
Pakistan's long-running free literature festival, with sessions in English and Urdu, book launches and awards.
Not yet announced. Usually a weekend in February or early March (2026, 17th edition: Feb 6-8).
Event website for Karachi Literature Festival (opens in a new tab)Lahore Literary Festival
Dates TBC, usually February or March
Lahore, PakistanAlhamra Arts Centre, Mall Road
A free three-day festival of literature, history and ideas in Lahore with Pakistani and international speakers.
Not yet announced. Usually a weekend in February (2026: Feb 6-8), occasionally early March.
Event website for Lahore Literary Festival (opens in a new tab)March 2027
Virginia Festival of the Book
Dates TBC, usually March
Charlottesville, USAVenues across Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Virginia Humanities' multi-day spring festival of mostly free author events across Charlottesville.
Not yet announced. Held in March over several days (2026: March 20-22).
Event website for Virginia Festival of the Book (opens in a new tab)Tucson Festival of Books
Mar 13–14, 2027
Tucson, USAUniversity of Arizona campus (UA Mall)
A free weekend festival on the University of Arizona campus that typically draws over 100,000 visitors and includes a space for self-published and independent authors.
Event website for Tucson Festival of Books (opens in a new tab)The London Book Fair
Mar 16–18, 2027
London, UKExCeL London (moving from Olympia from 2027)
The UK's main spring publishing trade fair for rights, distribution and industry networking, with an Author HQ programme aimed at writers.
First edition at ExCeL London.
Event website for The London Book Fair (opens in a new tab)Leipziger Buchmesse (Leipzig Book Fair)
Mar 18–21, 2027
Leipzig, GermanyLeipziger Messe
Germany's big spring book fair, very reader-focused, with the Leipzig Reads city festival and a large manga/comics convention.
Event website for Leipziger Buchmesse (Leipzig Book Fair) (opens in a new tab)April 2027
Abu Dhabi International Book Fair
Dates TBC, usually between April and September
Abu Dhabi, UAEADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi
A major Arab-world book fair with a trade programme, rights activity and public days.
Conflicting info: an official schedule listed 2027 as April 24 - May 3, but the 2026 fair was later moved to Sept 13-18, 2026. Treat 2027 timing as unconfirmed until re-announced.
Event website for Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (opens in a new tab)Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Dates TBC, usually April
Los Angeles, USAUniversity of Southern California (University Park Campus)
A free two-day outdoor festival at USC and one of the biggest public book events in the US, with hundreds of authors, panels and exhibitor booths.
Not yet announced. Held on a weekend in April at USC (2026 was April 18-19; 2025 was April 26-27).
Event website for Los Angeles Times Festival of Books (opens in a new tab)Bologna Children's Book Fair
Apr 5–8, 2027
Bologna, ItalyBolognaFiere
The leading international trade fair for children's and young adult publishing, illustration and rights, held alongside BolognaBookPlus and a licensing fair.
Guest of Honour: Poland.
Event website for Bologna Children's Book Fair (opens in a new tab)Festival du Livre de Paris
Apr 16–18, 2027
Paris, FranceGrand Palais
France's major public book festival (successor to the Salon du Livre), with about 120,000 visitors over a weekend.
Event website for Festival du Livre de Paris (opens in a new tab)ThrillerFest
Apr 27 – May 1, 2027
New York, USANew York Hilton Midtown
International Thriller Writers' conference with craft sessions, PitchFest with agents, and fan events for thriller writers.
Schedule PDF also lists pre-events on April 26, 2027.
Event website for ThrillerFest (opens in a new tab)May 2027
U.S. Book Show (Publishers Weekly; BookExpo successor)
Dates TBC, usually May or June
New York, USANew York City (venue not stated)
Publishers Weekly's trade event for the US book business, covering publisher previews, librarian and bookseller programming and industry panels.
Not yet announced. Held in late May or early June in New York (2026: June 2-3).
Event website for U.S. Book Show (Publishers Weekly; BookExpo successor) (opens in a new tab)Gaithersburg Book Festival
May 15, 2027
Gaithersburg, USABohrer Park, 506 S Frederick Ave
A free one-day outdoor festival in suburban Maryland with author talks, writing workshops and children's activities.
Event website for Gaithersburg Book Festival (opens in a new tab)IBPA Publishing University
May 20–22, 2027
Baltimore, USABaltimore (venue not stated)
The Independent Book Publishers Association's education conference for indie publishers and self-publishing authors.
Event website for IBPA Publishing University (opens in a new tab)Hay Festival
May 27 – Jun 6, 2027
Hay-on-Wye, UKHay Festival site, Hay-on-Wye
An 11-day festival of literature and ideas in the Welsh border book town, with hundreds of talks by authors, thinkers and public figures.
Event website for Hay Festival (opens in a new tab)June 2027
Self Publishing Show Live (SPS London)
Jun 10–11, 2027
London, UKCounty Hall, Belvedere Road, London SE1 7PB
A two-day conference for self-published authors run by the Self Publishing Formula, focused on marketing, ads and author business.
Event website for Self Publishing Show Live (SPS London) (opens in a new tab)ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition
Jun 24–28, 2027
New Orleans, USANew Orleans (venue not stated)
The American Library Association's main yearly conference, where publishers and authors meet librarians who buy for public and school libraries.
ALA press release says June 24-28; ALA's conference calendar page says June 24-29.
Event website for ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition (opens in a new tab)July 2027
Writer's Digest Annual Conference
Dates TBC, usually July or August
New Brunswick, USANew Brunswick, NJ (2026 location)
A craft and business conference for writers with sessions on publishing paths, marketing and agent pitch opportunities.
Not yet announced. Held in late July or early August (2026: July 23-25; 2025: July 24-27); location can change.
Event website for Writer's Digest Annual Conference (opens in a new tab)August 2027
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Dates TBC, usually August
Edinburgh, UKMultiple venues incl. McEwan Hall and Greyfriars Kirk (2026)
A two-week August festival of author events running alongside the Edinburgh festivals, with a big children's and schools programme.
Not yet announced. Runs about 16 days in mid-to-late August alongside the Edinburgh festivals (2026: Aug 15-30).
Event website for Edinburgh International Book Festival (opens in a new tab)Library of Congress National Book Festival
Dates TBC, usually August or September
Washington, USAWalter E. Washington Convention Center
A free one-day festival run by the Library of Congress featuring author talks, signings and family programming across many genres.
Not yet announced. Single Saturday in late August or early September (2026: Aug 22; 2025: Sept 6), usually at the DC convention center.
Event website for Library of Congress National Book Festival (opens in a new tab)September 2027
Bouchercon World Mystery Convention
Sep 1–5, 2027
Washington, USAConference hotel (not named in source)
The world's biggest gathering of crime and mystery writers and readers, with panels and the Anthony Awards.
Dates from a participating author's report of registration opening, not the official site directly.
Event website for Bouchercon World Mystery Convention (opens in a new tab)Brooklyn Book Festival
Dates TBC, usually September
Brooklyn, New York, USABrooklyn Borough Hall and surrounding venues (plus citywide Bookend events)
New York City's largest free literary festival, with a Festival Day marketplace, Children's Day and a week of citywide Bookend events.
Not yet announced. Festival Day is normally a Sunday in mid-to-late September, with Bookend events in the surrounding week (2026: Sept 20-28, Festival Day Sept 27).
Event website for Brooklyn Book Festival (opens in a new tab)Library of Virginia Literary Awards
Dates TBC, usually September or October
Richmond, USALibrary of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street
Virginia's annual literary awards gala honoring books by Virginia authors or about Virginia in fiction, nonfiction, poetry and children's categories.
Not yet announced. Gala held in the fall, usually September or October (2026: Sept 19, with a Sept 18 kickoff).
Event website for Library of Virginia Literary Awards (opens in a new tab)Printers Row Lit Fest
Dates TBC, usually September
Chicago, USASouth Dearborn Street, Printers Row neighborhood
The Midwest's largest free outdoor literary festival, with author stages and booksellers along Dearborn Street.
Not yet announced. Now held on a weekend in September (2026: Sept 12-13); it was historically held in early June.
Event website for Printers Row Lit Fest (opens in a new tab)NINC Conference (Novelists, Inc.)
Sep 22–25, 2027
St. Pete Beach, USATradeWinds Island Resorts
A members-only business conference for career novelists, including many indie authors, with heavy industry-partner participation.
Members only.
Event website for NINC Conference (Novelists, Inc.) (opens in a new tab)October 2027
Boston Book Festival
Dates TBC, usually October
Boston, USACopley Square and nearby venues
A free one-day festival in Copley Square with author sessions, a street fair and a kids' area.
Not yet announced. Held on a Saturday in October (2026: Oct 17; the site banner also showed Oct 14, an inconsistency on the official page).
Event website for Boston Book Festival (opens in a new tab)Decatur Book Festival
Dates TBC, usually October
Decatur, USADowntown Decatur
A free weekend festival in downtown Decatur near Atlanta with a keynote, author sessions and a street fair (formerly the AJC Decatur Book Festival).
Not yet announced. 2026 was held Oct 2-3; historically Labor Day weekend, so timing may vary (Sept-Oct).
Event website for Decatur Book Festival (opens in a new tab)Fall for the Book
Dates TBC, usually October
Fairfax, USAGeorge Mason University Fairfax Campus and Fairfax venues
George Mason University's free multi-day October festival of author readings and talks in Northern Virginia.
Not yet announced. Multi-day festival in early-to-mid October (2026: Oct 6-10).
Event website for Fall for the Book (opens in a new tab)Southern Festival of Books
Dates TBC, usually October
Nashville, USABicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Tennessee State Museum
Humanities Tennessee's free weekend festival with 200+ authors, panels and signings in downtown Nashville.
Not yet announced. Held on a weekend in October (2026: Oct 17-18).
Event website for Southern Festival of Books (opens in a new tab)Frankfurter Buchmesse (Frankfurt Book Fair)
Oct 6–10, 2027
Frankfurt am Main, GermanyMesse Frankfurt
The world's largest book trade fair and the key global marketplace for rights and licensing, with trade days followed by public weekend days.
Guest of Honour: Chile.
Event website for Frankfurter Buchmesse (Frankfurt Book Fair) (opens in a new tab)November 2027
Author Nation (successor to 20Books Vegas)
Dates TBC, usually November
Las Vegas, USAHorseshoe Las Vegas
A large indie-author business conference covering self-publishing, ads, audio and author-business strategy.
Not yet announced. Held in Las Vegas in November.
Event website for Author Nation (successor to 20Books Vegas) (opens in a new tab)Miami Book Fair
Dates TBC, usually November
Miami, USAMiami Dade College, Wolfson Campus (downtown Miami)
One of the largest literary festivals in the US, with a week of author evenings and a three-day downtown street fair, programmed in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.
Not yet announced. Held every November, normally the week before US Thanksgiving with the street fair on the closing weekend (mid-to-late November).
Event website for Miami Book Fair (opens in a new tab)Sharjah International Book Fair
Dates TBC, usually November
Sharjah, UAEExpo Centre Sharjah
One of the world's largest book fairs by attendance, combining a public fair with a professional publishers' conference and rights programme.
Not yet announced. Runs about 11-12 days starting in late October or early November.
Event website for Sharjah International Book Fair (opens in a new tab)Texas Book Festival
Dates TBC, usually November
Austin, USATexas State Capitol and surrounding downtown Austin venues
A free weekend festival in and around the Texas State Capitol with author sessions, signings, exhibitor tents and a children's area.
Not yet announced. Normally a weekend in early-to-mid November.
Event website for Texas Book Festival (opens in a new tab)Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL Guadalajara)
Nov 27 – Dec 5, 2027
Guadalajara, MexicoExpo Guadalajara
The most important Spanish-language book fair in the world, with nine days of trade and public programming.
Guest of Honour: Buenos Aires (city). Dates from news report of the official announcement.
Event website for Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL Guadalajara) (opens in a new tab)January 2028
Jaipur Literature Festival
Dates TBC, usually January
Jaipur, IndiaHotel Clarks Amer (2026 venue)
A huge free literary festival in Jaipur featuring hundreds of writers from India and abroad, plus the Jaipur BookMark publishing conference.
Not yet announced. Held for five days in mid-to-late January.
Event website for Jaipur Literature Festival (opens in a new tab)February 2028
Karachi Literature Festival
Dates TBC, usually February or March
Karachi, PakistanBeach Luxury Hotel (2026 venue)
Pakistan's long-running free literature festival, with sessions in English and Urdu, book launches and awards.
Not yet announced. Usually a weekend in February or early March (2026, 17th edition: Feb 6-8).
Event website for Karachi Literature Festival (opens in a new tab)Lahore Literary Festival
Dates TBC, usually February or March
Lahore, PakistanAlhamra Arts Centre, Mall Road
A free three-day festival of literature, history and ideas in Lahore with Pakistani and international speakers.
Not yet announced. Usually a weekend in February (2026: Feb 6-8), occasionally early March.
Event website for Lahore Literary Festival (opens in a new tab)March 2028
Bologna Children's Book Fair
Dates TBC, usually March or April
Bologna, ItalyBolognaFiere
The leading international trade fair for children's and young adult publishing, illustration and rights, held alongside BolognaBookPlus and a licensing fair.
Not yet announced. Runs four days (Mon-Thu) in late March or April each year.
Event website for Bologna Children's Book Fair (opens in a new tab)Leipziger Buchmesse (Leipzig Book Fair)
Dates TBC, usually March
Leipzig, GermanyLeipziger Messe
Germany's big spring book fair, very reader-focused, with the Leipzig Reads city festival and a large manga/comics convention.
Not yet announced. Held for four days (Thu-Sun) in March.
Event website for Leipziger Buchmesse (Leipzig Book Fair) (opens in a new tab)The London Book Fair
Dates TBC, usually March
London, UKExCeL London (moving from Olympia from 2027)
The UK's main spring publishing trade fair for rights, distribution and industry networking, with an Author HQ programme aimed at writers.
Not yet announced. Held for three days in March; the ExCeL move is a multi-year deal, so expect ExCeL London in mid-March.
Event website for The London Book Fair (opens in a new tab)Tucson Festival of Books
Dates TBC, usually March
Tucson, USAUniversity of Arizona campus (UA Mall)
A free weekend festival on the University of Arizona campus that typically draws over 100,000 visitors and includes a space for self-published and independent authors.
Not yet announced. Held on a weekend in early-to-mid March.
Event website for Tucson Festival of Books (opens in a new tab)Virginia Festival of the Book
Dates TBC, usually March
Charlottesville, USAVenues across Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Virginia Humanities' multi-day spring festival of mostly free author events across Charlottesville.
Not yet announced. Held in March over several days (2026: March 20-22).
Event website for Virginia Festival of the Book (opens in a new tab)April 2028
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Dates TBC, usually April
Los Angeles, USAUniversity of Southern California (University Park Campus)
A free two-day outdoor festival at USC and one of the biggest public book events in the US, with hundreds of authors, panels and exhibitor booths.
Not yet announced. Held on a weekend in April at USC (2026 was April 18-19; 2025 was April 26-27).
Event website for Los Angeles Times Festival of Books (opens in a new tab)May 2028
Gaithersburg Book Festival
Dates TBC, usually May
Gaithersburg, USABohrer Park, 506 S Frederick Ave
A free one-day outdoor festival in suburban Maryland with author talks, writing workshops and children's activities.
Not yet announced. Held on a Saturday in mid-May.
Event website for Gaithersburg Book Festival (opens in a new tab)Hay Festival
Dates TBC, usually May or June
Hay-on-Wye, UKHay Festival site, Hay-on-Wye
An 11-day festival of literature and ideas in the Welsh border book town, with hundreds of talks by authors, thinkers and public figures.
Not yet announced. Runs for about 11 days from late May to early June, spanning the UK late-May bank holiday.
Event website for Hay Festival (opens in a new tab)U.S. Book Show (Publishers Weekly; BookExpo successor)
Dates TBC, usually May or June
New York, USANew York City (venue not stated)
Publishers Weekly's trade event for the US book business, covering publisher previews, librarian and bookseller programming and industry panels.
Not yet announced. Held in late May or early June in New York (2026: June 2-3).
Event website for U.S. Book Show (Publishers Weekly; BookExpo successor) (opens in a new tab)June 2028
Self Publishing Show Live (SPS London)
Dates TBC, usually June
London, UKCounty Hall (recent venue)
A two-day conference for self-published authors run by the Self Publishing Formula, focused on marketing, ads and author business.
Not yet announced. Held in June (2026: June 11-12; 2027: June 10-11).
Event website for Self Publishing Show Live (SPS London) (opens in a new tab)ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition
Jun 22–27, 2028
Denver, USADenver (venue not stated)
The American Library Association's main yearly conference, where publishers and authors meet librarians who buy for public and school libraries.
Event website for ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition (opens in a new tab)July 2028
Writer's Digest Annual Conference
Dates TBC, usually July or August
New Brunswick, USANew Brunswick, NJ (2026 location)
A craft and business conference for writers with sessions on publishing paths, marketing and agent pitch opportunities.
Not yet announced. Held in late July or early August (2026: July 23-25; 2025: July 24-27); location can change.
Event website for Writer's Digest Annual Conference (opens in a new tab)August 2028
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Dates TBC, usually August
Edinburgh, UKMultiple venues incl. McEwan Hall and Greyfriars Kirk (2026)
A two-week August festival of author events running alongside the Edinburgh festivals, with a big children's and schools programme.
Not yet announced. Runs about 16 days in mid-to-late August alongside the Edinburgh festivals (2026: Aug 15-30).
Event website for Edinburgh International Book Festival (opens in a new tab)Library of Congress National Book Festival
Dates TBC, usually August or September
Washington, USAWalter E. Washington Convention Center
A free one-day festival run by the Library of Congress featuring author talks, signings and family programming across many genres.
Not yet announced. Single Saturday in late August or early September (2026: Aug 22; 2025: Sept 6), usually at the DC convention center.
Event website for Library of Congress National Book Festival (opens in a new tab)September 2028
Brooklyn Book Festival
Dates TBC, usually September
Brooklyn, New York, USABrooklyn Borough Hall and surrounding venues (plus citywide Bookend events)
New York City's largest free literary festival, with a Festival Day marketplace, Children's Day and a week of citywide Bookend events.
Not yet announced. Festival Day is normally a Sunday in mid-to-late September, with Bookend events in the surrounding week (2026: Sept 20-28, Festival Day Sept 27).
Event website for Brooklyn Book Festival (opens in a new tab)Library of Virginia Literary Awards
Dates TBC, usually September or October
Richmond, USALibrary of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street
Virginia's annual literary awards gala honoring books by Virginia authors or about Virginia in fiction, nonfiction, poetry and children's categories.
Not yet announced. Gala held in the fall, usually September or October (2026: Sept 19, with a Sept 18 kickoff).
Event website for Library of Virginia Literary Awards (opens in a new tab)Printers Row Lit Fest
Dates TBC, usually September
Chicago, USASouth Dearborn Street, Printers Row neighborhood
The Midwest's largest free outdoor literary festival, with author stages and booksellers along Dearborn Street.
Not yet announced. Now held on a weekend in September (2026: Sept 12-13); it was historically held in early June.
Event website for Printers Row Lit Fest (opens in a new tab)NINC Conference (Novelists, Inc.)
Sep 20–23, 2028
St. Pete Beach, USATradeWinds Island Resorts
A members-only business conference for career novelists, including many indie authors, with heavy industry-partner participation.
Members only.
Event website for NINC Conference (Novelists, Inc.) (opens in a new tab)October 2028
Boston Book Festival
Dates TBC, usually October
Boston, USACopley Square and nearby venues
A free one-day festival in Copley Square with author sessions, a street fair and a kids' area.
Not yet announced. Held on a Saturday in October (2026: Oct 17; the site banner also showed Oct 14, an inconsistency on the official page).
Event website for Boston Book Festival (opens in a new tab)Decatur Book Festival
Dates TBC, usually October
Decatur, USADowntown Decatur
A free weekend festival in downtown Decatur near Atlanta with a keynote, author sessions and a street fair (formerly the AJC Decatur Book Festival).
Not yet announced. 2026 was held Oct 2-3; historically Labor Day weekend, so timing may vary (Sept-Oct).
Event website for Decatur Book Festival (opens in a new tab)Fall for the Book
Dates TBC, usually October
Fairfax, USAGeorge Mason University Fairfax Campus and Fairfax venues
George Mason University's free multi-day October festival of author readings and talks in Northern Virginia.
Not yet announced. Multi-day festival in early-to-mid October (2026: Oct 6-10).
Event website for Fall for the Book (opens in a new tab)Southern Festival of Books
Dates TBC, usually October
Nashville, USABicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Tennessee State Museum
Humanities Tennessee's free weekend festival with 200+ authors, panels and signings in downtown Nashville.
Not yet announced. Held on a weekend in October (2026: Oct 17-18).
Event website for Southern Festival of Books (opens in a new tab)Frankfurter Buchmesse (Frankfurt Book Fair)
Oct 11–15, 2028
Frankfurt am Main, GermanyMesse Frankfurt
The world's largest book trade fair and the key global marketplace for rights and licensing, with trade days followed by public weekend days.
80th fair; Guest of Honour: Romania.
Event website for Frankfurter Buchmesse (Frankfurt Book Fair) (opens in a new tab)2026 so far: highlights
A few points from the big fairs and festivals earlier this year, in our own words. Each one links to the report it comes from.
Jaipur Literature Festival
- The festival packed in more than 300 sessions with over 500 speakers from upwards of 25 countries at Hotel Clarks Amer. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Booker-winning Kannada writer Banu Mushtaq gave the opening keynote, speaking against patriarchy and communal division. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Kiran Desai came back to Jaipur for the first time in 15 years to launch her new novel, and her session was widely seen as the standout of the year. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Stephen Fry talked about The Odyssey and screen adaptations of epics, and his signing line was one of the longest at the festival. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Several celebrity and debut titles launched on site, including comedian Vir Das's memoir, showing the festival's pull as a launch platform. Source (opens in a new tab)
The London Book Fair
- The fair drew over 33,000 visitors and 1,005 exhibitors in its final year at Olympia before moving to ExCeL London in 2027. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Around 10,000 authors joined a protest against AI companies training on their books without permission or pay, handing out a blank book as a symbol. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Headline deals included three thrillers co-written by Idris Elba, a new Alex Ferguson autobiography, and a new global deal for Ken Follett. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Rights buyers reported strong interest in fan-driven IP, self-published books, book-club fiction and translated fiction, with no single breakout title. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Attendance was strong overall, though travel disruption linked to the conflict in Iran kept some visitors from the Middle East, India and Australia away. Source (opens in a new tab)
Tucson Festival of Books
- The festival returned to the University of Arizona campus; it usually draws more than 100,000 people, but organizers did not release a 2026 count. Source (opens in a new tab)
- A laureates panel brought together poets Joy Harjo, Arthur Sze, Alberto Rios and TC Tolbert. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The new Tucson and Arizona poet laureates, Logan Phillips and Laura Tohe, gave their first readings in those roles on the Sunday. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Self-published and independent authors had their own presence at the festival, with writers traveling in from Phoenix and beyond to sell and meet readers. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Political journalists including Carol Leonnig, Jonathan Karl and Jacob Soboroff appeared together on a panel moderated by Dan Balz; local press estimated the festival brings about $4 million to the Tucson economy. Source (opens in a new tab)
Bologna Children's Book Fair
- The 63rd edition hosted 1,540 exhibitors from more than 90 countries and regions, with ten countries exhibiting for the first time. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Professional attendance was 32,652, about 2% lower than 2025, which organizers partly blamed on international travel difficulties. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Norway was Guest of Honour, and Poland was named Guest of Honour for 2027. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The Comics Corner grew by 60% over the previous year, reflecting rising demand for comics and graphic formats for young readers. Source (opens in a new tab)
- BolognaBookPlus grew 15% and added a Writers Lab for authors and a Designer Studio for illustrators. Source (opens in a new tab)
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
- The 31st festival at USC drew big crowds: the City of LA said more than 100,000 people came, and USC put the figure above 150,000. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Lionel Richie, Sarah Jessica Parker and Larry David headlined, each talking about their own books. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Amy Tan received the Robert Kirsch Award for lifetime achievement at the Book Prizes ceremony the night before the festival opened. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Organizers planned for more than 550 writers and about 350 exhibitors, with free general admission. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The LA Public Library used the festival to sign people up for library cards and hand out free books in English and Spanish. Source (opens in a new tab)
Hay Festival
- More than 210,000 tickets were issued across 600+ events, up about 5% on the year before. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Book sales hit a record of about 70,000 copies, up roughly 35%. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Hay Festival Medals went to Malala Yousafzai, Emma Thompson, Michael Rosen and Jeremy Bowen. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The lineup mixed novelists like Ian McEwan, Maggie O'Farrell and Ocean Vuong with activists such as Gisele Pelicot and public figures like Nicola Sturgeon. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Almost 7,500 pupils attended the free Schools Days, and organizers flagged 2027 as the festival's 40th anniversary year. Source (opens in a new tab)
Edinburgh International Book Festival
- Early figures showed footfall up about 20% on 2025, record book sales, and higher ticket sales from fewer events. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The programme ran under the theme 'Changing Your Mind', built around open debate in polarised times, with around 600 writers from 41 countries. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Big names included former Finnish PM Sanna Marin, Gordon Brown, and John Grisham appearing alongside Ian Rankin. Source (opens in a new tab)
- A strand on misinformation, data and AI regulation featured speakers such as Tim Wu, Cory Doctorow and Sarah Wynn-Williams. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Greyfriars Kirk was used as a festival venue for the first time, and around 90 events were livestreamed. Source (opens in a new tab)
Library of Congress National Book Festival
- The one-day festival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center required free entry tickets for the first time. No official attendance figure was found. Source (opens in a new tab)
- More than 80 authors took part, and the programme was tied to America's 250th anniversary with extra music, film and folklife events. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Cynthia Erivo talked about her memoir, and Martin Scorsese spoke about preserving American film history. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Translator Emily Wilson and US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze gave a joint talk on translating poetry. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Artemis II astronaut Reid Wiseman and Kate McKinnon were among the other draws, along with Ann Patchett and Tayari Jones. Source (opens in a new tab)
Printers Row Lit Fest
- The free festival filled South Dearborn Street, with Chicago novelist Scott Turow and PBS NewsHour's Geoff Bennett as headliners. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Patti Smith received the Harold Washington Literary Award at a gala before the festival. Source (opens in a new tab)
- NPR's Scott Simon, poet Eve Ewing and Chicago Poet Laureate Mayda Del Valle were also on the lineup. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Some Jewish authors objected because the dates overlapped with Rosh Hashanah, and organizers admitted the scheduling had been hard. Source (opens in a new tab)
Brooklyn Book Festival
- A nor'easter forced organizers to cancel the outdoor Children's Day book market and the outdoor Festival Day marketplace, and outdoor stage events moved indoors. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The nine-day festival listed more than 160 events with nearly 500 authors across all five boroughs, with the main Festival Day on September 27. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Amitav Ghosh was the 2026 BoBi honoree and appeared in conversation with Nathaniel Rich. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Featured authors included Colson Whitehead, Marlon James, Tayari Jones, Douglas Stuart, Maggie Haberman and Art Spiegelman. Source (opens in a new tab)
Frankfurter Buchmesse (Frankfurt Book Fair)
- About 236,000 visitors from 137 countries came, just below the previous year's 238,000, split roughly evenly between trade and public visitors. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Czechia was Guest of Honour, bringing more than 75 authors and about 100 events, then handed over to Chile as 2027 Guest of Honour. Source (opens in a new tab)
- AI dominated the trade debate: publishers launched a 'Frankfurt Appeal' calling for transparency, licensing and copyright enforcement against AI firms, and the German book trade chair warned about AI-generated junk books flooding self-help and travel. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Lawyer and author Philippe Sands received the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, and his speech drew attention for criticising Germany's silence over Israel. Source (opens in a new tab)
- It was Juergen Boos's last fair as director after more than two decades; Joachim Kaufmann takes over. Source (opens in a new tab)
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