Returning to Austin on Nov. 16-17 for its 29th year, the Texas Book Festival celebrates diverse literary talent from Texas and beyond, featuring 275 authors in readings, panel discussions, and book signings. The festival is free and open to all, offering a mix of exhibitor booths, food vendors, family-friendly activities, and dedicated programming in Spanish. This year’s lineup also includes a new poetry tent and expanded programming that embraces inclusivity; 63% of featured authors identify as people of color.
The Texas Book Festival CEO Marianne DeLeon emphasizes the event’s mission to foster an environment for discovery and inspiration: “We want people to have experiences at Texas Book Festival they didn’t even know they needed in their lives.” To fully enjoy the nearly 300 sessions across multiple venues, DeLeon suggests attendees focus on a few key events each day to avoid overwhelm: “I choose a morning session, a midday session, and an afternoon session, then grab lunch at the food trucks.”
Six Texas-based authors to catch this weekend:
Attica Locke – “Guide Me Home”
Session: Sunday, Nov. 17, 11:00 a.m. at the State Theatre
Winner of the Edgar Award, Harper Lee Prize, and an NAACP Image Award, Attica Locke brings her talent for suspense and social insight to “Guide Me Home,” the striking conclusion to her Highway 59 series. In this final installment, Texas Ranger Darren Mathews, on the verge of a fresh start, is pulled into the mysterious disappearance of a Black college student in a predominantly white town. To uncover the truth, he must confront long-buried tensions, navigate his troubled relationship with his mother, and reckon with his commitment to justice.
Cristina Rivera Garza – “Liliana’s Invincible Summer: A Sister’s Search for Justice”
Session: Saturday, Nov. 16, 10:30 a.m. at the State Theatre
Cristina Rivera Garza’s Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir, “Liliana’s Invincible Summer,” is an intimate journey into the life and tragic loss of her sister, Liliana, who was murdered by an abusive ex-boyfriend in 1990. Fueled by grief and the global crisis of gender-based violence, Rivera Garza reconstructs Liliana’s life from letters, police records, and interviews, creating a deeply personal yet universally resonant narrative of resilience, love, and the pervasive threat of femicide.
Gabino Iglesias – “House of Bone and Rain”
Session: Saturday, Nov. 16, 12:15 p.m. at the Texas Tent presented by Texas Monthly
Set in post-Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico, Gabino Iglesias’ “House of Bone and Rain” follows five young friends driven to avenge the murder of one boy’s mother by a powerful drug lord. As grief pushes them into a deadly underworld, a gathering storm carries supernatural forces to the island’s shores, blurring the line between myth and reality. Known for his intense, socially resonant horror, Iglesias—a Bram Stoker Award winner—crafts a story rich with themes of loss, survival, and folklore.
Jesse Griffiths – “The Turkey Book”
Sessions: Saturday, Nov. 16 at 10:45 a.m. (cooking demo) and Sunday, Nov. 17 at 12:45 p.m. at the Central Market Cooking Tent
Award-winning chef, hunter, and environmental advocate Jesse Griffiths—whose previous work “The Hog Book” earned him a prestigious James Beard Award and received a Green Star this month for sustainable practices—presents “The Turkey Book” at this year’s Texas Book Festival. This new culinary guide explores ethical hunting and cooking of wild turkey across the United States, featuring over 100 recipes rooted in sustainable practices, furthering his commitment to environmentally conscious cooking. Griffiths’ journey took him from Texas to Oregon and Connecticut, collaborating with local chefs and incorporating regional traditions.
Jenny Browne – “Texas, Being: A State of Poems”
Session: Sunday, Nov. 17, 11:00 a.m. in the Poetry Tent
In “Texas, Being: A State of Poems,” former Texas Poet Laureate Jenny Browne curates more than 45 voices that capture the complex beauty, contradictions, and spirit of Texas. From odes to small towns and landscapes to reflections on identity and history, the collection explores Texas as both a place of connection and solitude. These poems by Browne and others span everything from hedgehog cacti to seashores, from city grit to wide-open skies, painting an intricate portrait of the Lone Star State.
Matthew McConaughey – “Greenlights”
Sessions: Sunday, Nov. 17 (both ticketed and sold out) at First Baptist Church
Matthew McConaughey’s bestselling memoir, “Greenlights,” now in paperback, captures the actor’s journey through fame, family, and his signature “just keep livin” philosophy. With humor and heart, McConaughey shares inspiring and sometimes hilarious stories from his Texas roots to his Hollywood career, reflecting on the choices and values that have shaped his life.
To learn more and plan your visit, check out the full schedule on the festival’s website.
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