As we begin preparations for the 30th annual Texas Book Festival, we’re looking forward to another unforgettable weekend celebrating books and the power of storytelling. Scheduled to take place on November 8–9, the 2025 Texas Book Festival offers writers and creators the opportunity to connect with readers from across Texas and beyond. As one of the largest book festivals in the country, the Texas Book Festival provides authors the unique ability to showcase their work and network with fellow members of the literary community in a series of public and private events in the heart of Texas’ capital city.
While the number of authors included in our Festival lineup varies annually, from about 250 to over 300, this year we plan to feature approximately 275 authors. We typically receive over 1,200 Festival submissions each year, which makes our acceptance rate about 23%. Rather than growing our lineup year over year, we’re committed to providing the best possible experience for both authors and attendees. This means making difficult decisions to optimize session attendance, book sales, and marketing exposure for featured authors. As our Festival alumni roster grows with each passing year, we hope to continue showcasing beloved TBF authors while also providing space for first-time authors.
Leaning on volunteer selection committees made up of authors, scholars, professors, and literary professionals, our goal this year —and every year — is to craft a Festival program that includes something for everyone. As always, the 2025 Texas Book Festival will remain free and open to the public, inviting readers of all ages to attend panel discussions, author signings, cooking demonstrations, poetry readings, story times, interactive family-friendly activities, teen-focused programming, and more, across roughly 200 sessions throughout Festival Weekend. Our program consists primarily of panels with two or three authors in conversation with a moderator and session attendance ranges from about 100–800 depending on venue. We also plan to host 2–3 ticketed sessions featuring headlining authors in one-on-one conversations.
If you’re an author interested in joining us for the 30th annual Texas Book Festival this fall, we’d love to read your work! Authors are welcome to submit their own books or have publicists/publishers submit on their behalf. While submissions will remain open until Saturday, May 31, 2025, Festival invitations will be issued by email on a rolling basis throughout the spring and summer. All official invitations will come from me or my colleague, Michelle Hernandez, TBF’s Director of Youth Programs.
This milestone year is an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come and to set the stage for even better conversations and connections in the years to come. My team and I look forward to reading your work!
All my best,
Hannah Gabel, Literary Director
