What I work on
I’m responsible for creating and implementing the organization’s year-round literary programming. This includes curating the author lineup and schedule for our fall Festival, which hosts 250 – 300 authors and 40,000+ attendees in Austin each year. My role involves collaborating with publishers, publicists and authors to feature the year’s most exciting books. I work closely with my colleagues, volunteer selection committees and organizational partners to develop engaging programming that resonates with a broad audience.
Why I work here
Reading is one of my greatest passions and favorite pastimes — I typically read about 100 books a year. I could (and will, given the opportunity 😅) talk about books for hours. One of my favorite things about reading is the ability to view the world through someone else’s eyes. I believe that books have the power to inspire compassion and empathy in a truly unique way. Whether through fiction or nonfiction, books expose readers to different time periods, cultures, perspectives and so much more. It’s such a joy to work with colleagues who share my enthusiasm for promoting literature, uplifting authors and sharing diverse stories.
My education and experience
I graduated from Boston University with a double bachelor’s degree in Advertising and History. Prior to joining TBF as Literary Director in 2023, I directed events and marketing strategy at The Real Estate Council of Austin (RECA) and Stream Realty Partners. After a short sabbatical — during which I backpacked across Asia and Australia — I founded HLG Creative, a freelance graphic design and marketing agency. In 2020, I also launched my book blog and social community, Bookmarkparty, which enabled me to connect with authors, publishers and fellow book lovers around the world. This creative endeavor ultimately led me to Texas Book Festival.
More about me
I’m a native Austinite, but I still can’t handle the heat. I’m obsessed with my sweet and silly rescue pup, Ivy, who typically accompanies me to the office (and everywhere else). When I’m not working, you can find me reading in various locations, checking out the latest Austin hotspots or at the airport en route to an international adventure.