The Virginia Festival of the Book brings together writers and readers to promote and celebrate books, reading, literacy, and literary culture. Featuring the annual Festival in March plus the year-round events, our programming offers something for readers of all levels and interests.

With a longstanding focus on accessibility and diversity, Festival programming engages attendees and viewers with new books, on a variety of topics and across genres, that are timely and necessary, and which we hope will prompt discourse, inspiration, and connection.

We select Festival speakers through active recruitment as well as open submissions (June 1-September 26) and work with community partners to plan programs that speak to the interests and needs of Virginians.

Submissions

Every March, the Virginia Festival of the Book presents book-related programming featuring hundreds of speakers discussing their new books, in addition to year-round in-person and live-streamed events. In 2023, the Festival hosted its first series of Preview Events in Crozet, Emory, Nelson County, Staunton, and Richmond, and 2024 will see more events across the Commonwealth.

We select speakers through active recruitment as well as open submissions, June 1 through September 26. During this time, we invite submissions of new, published books of fiction (including genre fiction), nonfiction, poetry, cookbooks, and books for young readers.

Submissions for the 2024 Virginia Festival of the Book have closed. Submissions for the 2025 Festival will open in June.

Past Speakers & Schedules

Since 1995, we have presented a captivating list of speakers, from international bestsellers and topical specialists to debut authors and poets. Explore the Festival archive to learn more about our past speakers and to discover new authors to read in the future. 

Our Team

The Virginia Festival of the Book is staffed by two voracious readers:

Aran Donovan

Assistant Director, Virginia Center for the Book

Emmy Thacker

Program Coordinator, Virginia Center for the Book

Kalela Williams

Director, Virginia Center for the Book

Partners & Sponsors

The Virginia Festival of the Book is a community-driven effort, and, as such, greatly appreciates the support of many community partners, sponsors, and volunteers in helping develop and present our annual programs.

Partners & Sponsors  |  View All

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