The Decatur Book Festival (DBF) will return to Atlanta October 4 and 5 with notable appearances from longtime Georgia lawmaker, bestselling author and voting rights activist Stacey Abrams and iconic author and recipient of the National Book Award, PEN America’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Humanities Medal and a World Fantasy Award for Short Fiction, Joyce Carol Oates.
Founded in 2005, the Decatur Book Festival is an annual celebration of literature, igniting passion for reading and fostering community engagement. Showcasing renowned authors and nurturing emerging voices, the festival is a beacon of literary excellence, enriching minds and souls alike. Following a pause in 2023, the festival brings back live author Q&As, book signings, and a spectrum of activities, entertainment, and exhibitors to Decatur, with events happening at the First Baptist Church, the Marriott Courtyard, DeKalb County Public Library, The Reading Room and the Decatur Square. Among the participating booksellers are A Cappella Books, Brave and Kind Bookshop, Charis Books and More, Eagle Eye Books, and Little Shop of Stories.
A keynote conversation between Oates and Joe Barry Carroll – DBF Literary Luminary sponsor, former NBA All-Star, artist, author, philanthropist and longtime advocate of DBF –will take place on Friday, October 4 at 7pm on the DeKalb County stage in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Decatur. Then, Abrams is scheduled to open Saturday’s events as the “Kidnote” speaker and share the third installment of her children’s book series, Stacey Speaks Up. The book, which will be published on September 24, is part of her #1 New York Times bestselling and NAACP Image Award-winning Stacey’s Stories picture book series, all written by Abrams and illustrated by Kitt Thomas.
“The Decatur Book Festival has always been a vibrant autumn event that ushers in great stories and welcomes the community to join in the bounty,” Abrams said in a statement. “I look forward to sharing my new children’s book, Stacey Speaks Up, with families and to lifting up the joy of reading.”
As a treasured civic event for almost 20 years, the return of DBF promises a weekend of community, connection and creative inspiration amongst meaningful storytelling and conversations.
“Our dedicated board members have worked tirelessly since our last festival in 2022,” Alison Weissinger, volunteer president of the festival board and director of the DeKalb County Public Library, said. “We’re thrilled to see renewed support from our community and key stakeholders, and we look forward to unveiling our new and returning sponsors soon.
The full 2024 festival lineup and program schedule are slated to be revealed later this month to include more than 100 authors, poets, student emerging writers, journalists, artists, and thought leaders. For more information, visit decaturbookfestival.com.