Start planning now! BookFest St. Louis returns to the Central West End on Saturday, September 21, and with more than two dozen authors and 15 different panels, there’s sure to be something for everyone.
Now in its third year, BookFest St. Louis will host a diverse mix of locally and internationally renowned writers. All are welcome at this family-friendly event, at which attendees can enjoy panels, purchase books from participating authors and booksellers, listen to live music, and visit booths hosted by St. Louis artisans and literary-focused institutions.
7 p.m. | Whitmania, followed by Author Meet & Greet
The St. Louis Poetry Center brings the centerpiece of their “Whitmania” exhibition to the BookFest St. Louis stage! Local poets and authors present a marathon reading of “Song of Myself” to celebrate Walt Whitman’s bicentennial, as well as his surprising ties to St. Louis. Afterward, you’ll have a chance to mingle with many of the BookFest authors at a Meet & Greet event.
Location: The Mahler Ballroom
10:30 a.m. | Children’s Storytime
Daniel Wiseman
Location: St. Louis Public Library — Schlafly Branch
12 p.m. | To Tell You The Truth… Making Nonfiction Fun for Middle Grade
Nathan Hale, Teri Kanefield, John Hendrix
Location: St. Louis Public Library — Schlafly Branch
12 p.m. | Did you see that Coming?
Kalisha Buckhanon, Joshilyn Jackson, Lisa Unger
Location: McPherson Tent
12 p.m. | Strong at the Broken Places: Stories of Resilience and Love
Crystal Wilkinson, Bryn Greenwood, Abbigail Rosewood
Location: 510 N. Euclid
12 p.m. | Poetry Corner: Live with Aaron Coleman and Edgar Kunz
Aaron Coleman and Edgar Kunz
Location: TechArtista
2 p.m. | Pride Comes of Age with Music, an LGBTQIA Panel
James Brandon, Saundra Mitchell, Jeffrey Ricker
Location: St. Louis Public Library — Schlafly Branch
2 p.m. | Three Lives: True Tales of Remarkable Women
Karen Piper, Bassey Ikpi, Margaret Renkl
Location: 510 N. Euclid
2 p.m. | Mary Engelbreit & Kris Kleindienst in Conversation
Mary Engelbreit
Location: McPherson Tent
2 p.m. | Hands Up, Don’t Shoot : A Conversation with Social Scholar Jennifer Cobbina and Local Activist Jamell Spann
Jennifer Cobbina and Jamell Spann
Location: TechArtista
4 p.m. | Are You Trending?: Rom Com Rendezvous
Sonali Dev, Alisha Rai, Tessa Bailey
Location: McPherson Tent
4 p.m. | When Life Becomes Art: a Craft Talk
Abbigail Rosewood, Bassey Ikpi, Aaron Coleman
Location: The Vino Gallery
4 p.m. | (un)Ordinary Survival
Elizabeth McCracken, Amanda Goldblatt, Danielle Dutton
Location: 510 N. Euclid
6 p.m. | Let’s Go to the Prom: The Distance from Page to Stage to Page
Saundra Mitchell, John O’Brien, STAGES Triple Threats
Location: McPherson Tent
7 p.m. | St. Louis Youth Slam Team Champs
St. Louis’ Youth Slam Team won the Nationals this year! Come celebrate their incredible talent and accomplishment as they close out this year’s BookFest with a panel discussion followed by a must-see performance.
Location: McPherson Tent
