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2023 National Book Festival

“National Book Festival” surrounded by pencil, pens, lamp, coffee mug, arrow, heart, thumbtack and bookmark.
Book lovers begin their day at the 2022 National Book Festival at the Washington Convention Center.
Nyle DiMarco signs a book for a fan at the National Book Festival.
Moderators Austin Ferraro and Ava Luo discuss sequels with authors Victoria Aveyard, Namina Forna and Chloe Gong on the Young Adult stage at the 2022 National Book Festival.
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden meets with guests and sponsors on the expo floor at the National Book Festival.

The 2023 National Book Festival was held in the nation’s capital at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday, August 12, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Several programs were livestreamed, and video of all talks can be viewed online shortly after the Festival’s conclusion. Mark your calendars now for next year’s National Book Festival, scheduled for Aug. 24, 2024.

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Experience the Festival

Woman reading from a book at the National Book Festival. Watch the Author Talks Couldn’t join us on August 12? Watch all of the panels and presentations at your leisure.
PBS Books Author Talk Watch on PBS Books External Watch interviews with some of the Festival’s featured authors on PBS Books.
An eye in the middle of a laptop screen, over a geometric pattern of triangles in alternating directions. Experience Virtually Learn more about how to experience the Festival online with our virtual attendee guide.
People walking in the Library of Congress for the National Book Festival. Follow “Bookmarked” for Festival News Stay in touch! Subscribe to our blog on books and literature for updates on future Festivals.
A question mark in a speech bubble, over a background grid of small four-petaled flowers. Frequently Asked Questions Where is it? When is it? How do I get there? Here are the answers to your questions.
Pavilions on the National Mall at the 2013 National Book Festival. Explore Past Festivals Browse photo galleries and watch videos from 20 years of the National Book Festival.

Featured Authors

Discover the many bestselling authors, novelists, historians, poets and children's writers featured in the 2023 Festival.

R.K. Russell
Meg Medina
Joy Harjo
R.J. Palacio
Elliot Page
See all authors

Highlighted Videos

Lie, Fight, Gatekeep with Angeline Boulley & Amélie Wen Zhao
Elliot Page on His Memoir "Pageboy"
Elizabeth Acevedo's Family Lore
Hauntings Aren't Just for Houses with Tananarive Due & Grady Hendrix
Chasten Buttigieg Has Something To Tell You
Decoding 'Latino' in America: José Olivarez & Héctor Tobar
Read a Book & Try On Your Dreams with Grace Lin
AI Just Wants To Be Our Friend with TJ Klune
Teens & the World's Injustices: Lesa Cline-Ransome & Jennifer De Leon
Backroads & Buried Bodies with S.A. Cosby
History Is Heating Up with Douglas Brinkley & David Lipsky
'You: The Story' with Ruta Sepetys
See more videos