Decatur Book Festival announces author lineup for Oct. 4-5

The Decatur Book Festival (DBF) has announced its featured author lineup and full schedule for 2024.

This year’s festival will take place on Oct 4-5, and features an array of nearly 100 authors in events spread across downtown Decatur.

Among the variety of authors, illustrators, poets, journalists, artists, chefs, musicians and thought-leaders, the 2024 lineup includes:

● A Novel Event with Tea Obreht & Diane C. McPhail

● A Meditation on Writing with Natasha Trethewey

● Tell Me a Story: A Picture Book Panel with Deborah Wiles, Jorge Redmond, Henry Cole & Michael Sampson

● Sci-fi vs Fantasy with Cinda Williams Chima, Jill Tew & David Arnold

● Rita Mae Brown & Jeffrey Dale Lofton in Conversation

● Romantasy with Rebecca Kenney, K.A. Linde & Sara Raasch

● Book Banning in America with Amanda Jones

● Liberating Abortion with Renee Bracey Sherman, Regina Mahone & Jenn M. Jackson ● I Have a Fiction Addiction with Kimberly Brock, Beatriz Williams & Alan Grostephan ● Georgia History with Michael L. Thurmond & Paul M. Pressly

● Poetry sessions hosted by Georgia Poet Laureate Chelsea Rathburn

● Emerging Student Writers from Georgia colleges and universities

The culinary lineup for The Local Palate Culinary Stage will feature Anne Byrn, Von Diaz, William Dissen, Erika Council, Suzy Karadsheh and Todd Richards .

The Entertainment stage will feature the Swimming Pool Q’s, the Agnes Scott Collegiate Chorale , The Chapeaus , Gabbie McGee and the 3, Just Roxie and the Atlanta Shakespeare Company.

The full Festival lineup can be viewed at decaturbookfestival.com .

Featured festival books will be available for purchase weekend of, or purchased in advance through bookseller partners: Brave and Kind Bookshop, Charis Books and More, Eagle Eye Books and Little Shop of Stories.

The festival is free and open to the public, featuring a wide range of activities, including author panel sessions, book signings, cooking demonstrations, exhibitor booths, and food vendors.

There will also be a children’s parade, numerous activities in the “Storyland Fun Zone” at the First Baptist Church of Decatur, and a family-friendly science expo at the Task Force for Global Health. Attendees can look forward to a stellar entertainment lineup, culminating in a finale performance by the Swimming Pool Q’s. While registration for Saturday’s events on Eventbrite is encouraged for planning purposes, a ticket is not required to attend.

This year’s lineup boasts New York Times bestselling and critically recognized author, Joyce Carol Oates , speaking as our keynote on Friday, Oct. 4 at 7:00 pm on the DeKalb County stage in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Decatur. For planning purposes, attendees are encouraged to register for the Keynote on Eventbrite. However, a ticket is not required to attend.

On Saturday, Oct. 5, longtime Georgia lawmaker, New York Times bestselling author and voting rights activist Stacey Abrams will speak for the “Kidnote” on the same stage at 10:00 am. For planning purposes, attendees are encouraged to register for the Kidnote on Eventbrite. However, a ticket is not required to attend.

“For one weekend each year, we have the privilege of welcoming an inspiring and diverse group of brilliant authors to Decatur, turning our downtown into a vibrant celebration of the written word,” says Leslie Wingate, Executive Director of DBF. “I am delighted with how the festival is coming together, thanks to the unwavering dedication of our passionate board members and colleagues. Festival-goers of all ages can look forward to an exciting array of programming and activities across downtown Decatur. The festival is back, and it’s here to stay.”

The 2024 Decatur Book Festival is sponsored by Literary Luminary Circle sponsors DeKalb County and the Joe Barry Carroll Family Foundation. Other sponsors include the City of Decatur, City of Decatur Tourism Bureau, City of Decatur Development Authorities, Emory University, LuluMa Foundation, Rough Draft Atlanta, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Atlanta Writers Club, DeKalb County Public Library, DeKalb Library Foundation, Georgia Center for the Book, First Baptist Church of Decatur, Georgia Humanities, The Local Palate, Task Force for Global Health and Agnes Scott College.

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