Austin, September 11, 2025
News Summary
The Texas Book Festival is commemorating its milestone 30th anniversary with a two-day literary celebration featuring over 300 authors in Austin. Scheduled for November 8 and 9, the festival will take place in front of the Texas Capitol and various satellite locations. This year’s main highlights include Mitch Albom, Chelsea Handler, and Matthew McConaughey, along with numerous other celebrated authors. While the event is free to attend, tickets will be necessary for select headliner talks. The festival underscores its commitment to freedom of reading and promoting diverse literature.
Austin, Texas – The Texas Book Festival (TBF) is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary on November 8 and 9, drawing an impressive lineup of over 300 authors to the heart of Austin. This annual literary event will take place in front of the Texas Capitol and at various satellite locations around the city, offering book enthusiasts an exciting opportunity to engage with writers from Texas and beyond.
This year’s festival highlights prominent headliners such as Mitch Albom, who will discuss his new novel “Twice: A Novel,” Chelsea Handler, presenting her collection of essays “I’ll Have What She’s Having,” and Matthew McConaughey, who will promote his book “Poems & Prayers.” Other notable authors participating include Viet Thanh Nguyen, Ariel Sullivan with “Conform” in conversation with Jenna Bush Hager, Rick Martínez, and celebrated figures in literature like Katherine Center, Stephen Graham Jones, and R.L. Stine.
The event is free to attend; however, tickets are required for select events and headliner talks, with availability starting on September 17. Supporting the festival’s theme of reading without restriction, TBF reiterates its commitment to the freedom of readers to explore diverse literature from various backgrounds and cultures.
Literary Engagement and Community Building
Hannah Gabel, TBF’s Literary Director, emphasized the festival’s belief that books are instrumental in building stronger communities. The festival aims to inspire, educate, and connect individuals through literature. In addition to the main festival events, the Texas Book Festival is collaborating with Texas Monthly to launch the Texas Book Club, focusing on both classic and contemporary Texas literature. The inaugural book for this club is Larry McMurtry’s “Lonesome Dove,” celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Discussions about “Lonesome Dove” will continue until the end of September, allowing readers to engage with the material year-round.
Event Scheduling and Additional Information
A complete schedule of events will be published in October, detailing the various author talks, panel discussions, and activities to take place over the two-day festival. In keeping with its history, TBF remains focused on highlighting Texas authors while also bringing in influential voices from around the United States and the international literary community.
The festival plays a vital role in supporting and promoting the literary arts within Texas and aims to continue its legacy of enriching the community through literature for many years to come.
Key Features of the Texas Book Festival
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Dates | November 8-9 |
| Location | Texas Capitol & satellite locations |
| Authors Involved | More than 300 |
| Headliners | Mitch Albom, Chelsea Handler, Matthew McConaughey, Viet Thanh Nguyen |
| Free Admission | Tickets required for specific events |
| Texas Book Club Launch | Inaugural Book: Lonesome Dove, 40th Anniversary |
| Event Schedule Release | October |
FAQs
What dates will the Texas Book Festival be held?
The Texas Book Festival will take place on November 8 and 9.
Where is the event located?
The festival will be held in front of the Texas Capitol and at various satellite locations in Austin, Texas.
Is there an admission fee for the festival?
The festival is free to attend; however, tickets may be required for specific events.
When will the full schedule of events be released?
The complete schedule of events will be released in October.
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Additional Resources
- Austin Chronicle
- Wikipedia: Texas Book Festival
- KVUE
- Google Search: Texas Book Festival 2025
- Valley Central
- Google Scholar: Texas Book Festival
- ATX Today
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas Book Festival
- Glasstire
- Google News: Texas Book Festival 2025
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