A Literary Lawn Party
Each year, the Mississippi Book Festival unites readers and authors in an exhilarating celebration of books.
The Capitol’s stately rooms and nearby Galloway Church turn into venues for distinguished panelists, the streets in-between transform into a bustling marketplace for booksellers, and the grounds and Capitol Rotunda become a hub of lively exchange. FREE AND OPEN TO ALL, the festival brings the written word to fun, festive life with authors, panel discussions, book signings, family-friendly activities, food trucks, live music, and more!
Authors
Hundreds of contemporary authors — national, regional and local — connect directly with fans and new readers at the festival each year. Official Panelists are invited to contribute to in-depth discussions and sign books, while Authors Alley hosts dozens of self-published authors selling their works.
Exhibitors
The festival offers an exceptional opportunity for individuals, retailers, organizations, and vendors to sell or distribute books, goods, information, and foods. With four different ways to participate, you’re sure to find a perfect fit.
Volunteers
Our tireless volunteers power the festival—with more than 200 coming together each year to greet guests, give directions, ensure safety, and execute countless essential tasks to make the day and weekend run smoothly.
Attractions
This ten-acre booklover’s paradise, set in and around the State Capitol Building, draws hundreds of visiting authors each year to engage with each other and the public to discuss their latest works. Dozens of panel discussions on a wide range of topics, book signings, Booksellers Row, Authors Alley, family-friendly activities, food trucks, Capitol tours, and much more, make this event one for the books!
Panels
The festival celebrates the hottest new books and the storytellers behind them in a dynamic forum that is open to all. Discussion panels, scheduled throughout the day in air-conditioned venues, consist of one or more authors engaging in an hour-long conversation. Topics include fiction, narrative non-fiction, poetry, children’s literature, young adult and more!
Funders
Committed to making a positive impact on the cultural life of our state, funders are the lifeblood of the festival. At the August event these essential supporters are recognized through a host of special opportunities, many of which are customized to meet charitable and/or marketing objectives. Through their generosity the festival remains Free and open to all.
Annual favorite KidNote!
Our KidNote events provide opportunities for young people to meet leading storytellers in an auditorium or online setting where they learn about the authors’ works and the creative process that made them. In 2024, Angie Thomas, Kate DiCamillo, and Andrea Beaty spoke to 29,000 students at events in the capital city and the Delta. This year, why not ask one of your favorite authors from our lineup to come early and speak to your local school!
We speak book!
At our very first festival, we made the commitment to capture every official panel discussion in video and, in 2019, we joined forces with Mississippi Public Broadcasting to create the podcast Write On, Mississippi! This incredible and growing feast of video and podcast recordings is organized in the ARCHIVE section of our website for you to savor anytime!
I have to say that this [festival] was the warmest experience I’ve ever had around any book festival in my life. It would be difficult to really thank you enough, and whenever you call, I will most certainly be there, for the new books or to moderate or otherwise.”
Joseph Earl Thomas, 2024 Official Panelist
It was the best book festival I've ever attended as an author, full stop, period…. And the crowd Saturday! Wow! I went to the airport Sunday morning with my fellow Vermonter Chris Bohjalian, Ron Rash, and Hampton Sides, and we were all just raving about our delightful weekend! You should be immensely proud of what you've built, both for Mississippi and for the literary community writ large."
Garrett M. Graff, 2024 Official Panelist
I have been to a lot of book festivals and was completely blown away by the Mississippi Book Festival…. The list of fellow participants was stacked, from Pulitzer winners to debut authors…. The audiences were engaged and asked questions that were thoughtful and provocative,…. It was reaffirming to be a part of a weekend dedicated to the love of literature…."
Traci Thomas, 2024 Official Panelist
… a lavish celebration of both southern hospitality and a southern love of literature. The hosts were incredibly gracious and the audiences were true book-lovers, seeming to hang on every word. It was a real pleasure to participate. I can’t wait to go back.”
Sebastian Junger, 2024 Official Panelist
... it is a beautiful and seamless institution (I speak as someone who has attended many perfectly nice festivals that just can't hold a candle to yours) and I am so pleased I had the privilege to attend.... It is such an honor to be a tangential part of the cultural work you're doing.”
Juliet Grames, 2024 Official Panelist
Funders
The Mississippi Book Festival cherishes funders who are committed to making a positive and lasting impact on the cultural life of our state. See all funders.