The BookFest Fall 2026 Schedule Features Carrie West, Debbie Bishop, Robert J. Sawyer, Joshua Mohr and More
The free online literary adventure returns October 24th–25th with keynotes, conversations, author insights, and BookFest traditions.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Los Angeles, CA – The BookFest Adventure® returns for its 14th biannual virtual event on October 24th and 25th, 2026, bringing together authors, publishing professionals, industry experts, and literary voices for a free weekend celebrating books, storytelling, and the writing community.
This Fall’s event features keynote appearances by Carrie West and Debbie Bishop, along with special conversations with award-winning science fiction author Robert J. Sawyer and author Joshua Mohr. The BookFest will also salute David Katz, recipient of the Honorary Achievement BookFest Award, and celebrate the winners of The BookFest Awards Fall 2026. Across two days of livestream programming, attendees can explore conversations designed to inspire readers, support writers, and examine the evolving worlds of books and publishing.
The BookFest Founder Desireé Duffy says, “The BookFest is about bringing people together through stories, and this Fall’s programming reflects the many ways books can inform, challenge, and connect us. I look forward to this fall’s event and all the conversations and discussions that stem from the curated programming.”
Opening the festival on Saturday, Carrie West presents “Stories Are Essential,” a keynote celebrating the enduring role storytelling plays in our lives. The program also honors David Katz with the Honorary Achievement BookFest Award and welcomes Robert J. Sawyer for “The Science of Science Fiction,” a conversation exploring the ideas and imagination behind the genre. Additional programming examines wellness through books, burnout and thriving, and self-discovery through storytelling.
Sunday turns the spotlight toward writers and the business and craft of authorship with keynote speaker Debbie Bishop presenting “The Courage to Be Seen.” Joshua Mohr joins the program for “What Punk Rock Can Teach Writers,” while additional sessions explore designing a sustainable writing career, finding and engaging readers, developing ideas, the debate surrounding artificial intelligence for writers, pen names, author income opportunities, and strategies for ensuring a book becomes more than an expensive hobby.
Saturday’s programming is dedicated to readers, while Sunday’s programming focuses on writers and industry professionals. This Fall’s highlights include:
Saturday, October 24th, 2026, livestream programming is dedicated to readers. The programming includes:
Welcome Message from The BookFest Founder Desireé Duffy
Opening Keynote – Carrie West: Stories Are Essential
A Salute to David Katz – Winner of the Honorary Achievement BookFest Award
A Conversation with Robert J. Sawyer: The Science of Science Fiction
Segment – Stories That Heal: Finding Wellness in Books with Devyn McDonald Sr
Segment – Choosing to Thrive: Rethinking Burnout with Marie Brown
Segment – Building Community with Audiobooks with Becky Parker Geist, presented by AMPlify Audiobooks
BookFest Award Winner Spotlight: Christian Hurst: Starships, Secrets, and Self Discovery in “Lily Starling”
Author Chats hosted by Scott Ryan and Becca Moore
Sunday, October 25th, 2026, livestream programming is dedicated to writers. The programming includes:
Welcome Message from The BookFest Founder Desireé Duffy
Keynote – Debbie Bishop: The Courage to Be Seen
Segment – Design a Writing Career That Fits Your Life with Dr. Marla Albertie, presented by Marla Albertie LLC
A Conversation with Joshua Mohr: What Punk Rock Can Teach Writers
Segment – You Built the Book. Now What? The Build First 5 P’s with Paula Banks
Segment – Find Your Readers, Keep the Conversation Going with Denise Mullinex, presented by Geek Girl Publishing
Segment – You’ve Got a Great Idea: Now What? with Cameron Sutter, presented by Plottr
Panel Discussion – AI for Writers: Tool, Threat, or Both? presented by Writers and Publishers Network
Segment – Don’t Let Your Book Become an Expensive Hobby with Amy Vogel
Segment – Writing Under Pen Names: Building an Author Identity with Tricia Copeland and Liisa Kovala
Presentation – Four Ways Book Authors Make Money from Publishers with Paul S. Levine
Segment – Connecting the Dots: Building a Brand That Amplifies Your Book Marketing with Jeniffer Thompson
Segment – Engaging with Your Audience & Building Your Business with Becky Parker Geist, presented by Pro Audio Voices
A Salute to The BookFest Award Winners Fall 2026
Check the full schedule on The BookFest website’s Programming Page, where updates and changes will be posted.
The full list of BookFest Fall 2026 speakers includes: Marla J. Albertie; Paula Banks; Debbie Bishop; Diann Floyd Boehm; Marie Brown; Tricia Copeland; Desiree Duffy; David Katz; Maria Gallucci; Becky Parker Geist; Christian Hurst; Gerald Everett Jones; Kathleen Kaiser; Liisa Kovala; Joseph L. Licari; Sheila Lowe; Paul Levine; Devyn McDonald Sr.; Joshua Mohr; Adanna Moriarty; Denise Mullinex; Ehi Okoedion; Scott Ryan; Robert J. Sawyer; J.M. Shaw; Cameron Sutter; Jeniffer Thompson; Carran Waterfield; Mary Wyatt; Amy Vogel; Carrie West; Edward Willett; Chester L. Richards; Diann Floyd Boehm
Attendees can also explore the Virtual Booths, browse the Books Page, and visit the Speaker Pages throughout the event. Popular BookFest features return this Fall, offering opportunities to discover new books, connect with authors and literary brands, and enjoy special offers through the Virtual Gift Bag.
The BookFest is free to attend and streams on TheBookFest.com, the Books That Make You YouTube Channel, and across social platforms. People are encouraged to become a BookFester by signing up for updates and event news delivered directly to their inbox.
The BookFest is produced by Black Château Enterprises and presented in part by Books That Make You.
About The BookFest Adventure®
The BookFest Adventure® is a free virtual celebration of books and the people who bring them to life. Held each spring and fall, The BookFest connects readers and writers through thoughtful programming about storytelling, publishing, and the ideas shaping the literary world. Since its founding in 2020, the pioneering, Webby-nominated event has welcomed notable speakers including Mitch Albom, Danny Trejo, Christina Baker Kline, S.A. Cosby, Peter James, Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, and Mark Coker. The BookFest also presents The BookFest Awards, honoring outstanding books and helping authors gain greater visibility for their work. Presented by Books That Make You and produced by Black Château Enterprises, The BookFest creates an accessible space for literary discovery and community. The BookFest Adventure® is a registered trademark of Desireé Duffy, founder of all three. For more information, visit TheBookFest.com.
