ABOUT
September 25th & 26th at the Mahon Public Library
This free, two-day long Lubbock Book Festival connects authors and readers through an exciting event to celebrate literacy, creativity, and the written word. We will have book sales, author signings, engaging panels, creative workshops, family-fun activities, and so much more.
Our goal: to inspire Lubbock to love reading!
AUTHOR SIGNINGS
Meet local authors, find new reads, and support local businesses. Engage personally with writers in your favorite genres or have your favorite authors sign a book just for you!
FAMILY-FUN ACTIVITIES
Sunday will be devoted to children and families, sparking their love of reading early! They can read to animals, make crafts, enjoy story time, and more.
ENGAGING PANELS
From learning about what it takes to be a YA author to understanding the educational impact of early literacy, our wide variety of panel topics will have something for everyone.
Programming
Saturday, September 25th
All Times TBA
Panels
Located in the Community Room (1st Floor)
Meet Bob Horton (Of Bulletins and Booze), Sixtus Atabong (My Father’s Gift), and Frank Sikes (West Texas Middleweight: The Story of LaVern Roach), for an absorbing discussion about what it takes to create a compelling non-fiction story. Moderated by a member of TTU Press.
A book signing will take place immediately following the panel.
With a powerhouse panel of Taylor Moore (Down Range author and a former CIA Intelligence Officer), Rick Treon (Deep Background author and winner of the Excellence in Suspense award), and Thomas J. Nichols (We Were Young Once… and former Lubbock Police Chief), and moderated by Barbara Brannon (Paragraph Ranch), we will dive deep into the world of writing dark and gritty suspense stories. Get ready for stories that grip your heart right out of your chest!
A book signing will take place immediately following the panel.
We are excited to assemble three highly successful and award-winning women writers to talk about stories women love! Teddy Jones (Making it Home), Carol Lipscomb (author of The Lady Makes Boots: Enid Justin and the Nocona Boot Company and winner of the Lou Halsell Rodenberger Prize), and Jan Sikes (Ghostly Interference) talk with moderator Kim Hunt Harris (Trailer Park Princess) about stories that sizzle in the women’s fiction marketplace.
A book signing will take place immediately following the panel.
Lubbock’s deep cultural scene makes for a captivating read! The legendary Cary C. Banks from the Maines Brothers Band (Almost Like a Professional: My Life and Career as a West Texas Musician), the prolific Mike Cox (Train Crash at Crush, Texas: America’s Deadliest Publicity Stunt), and the enchanting Cathy Jewell, are led by moderator Terry Greenberg (former editor of Lubbock Avalanche Journal) as we dive into fascinating Texas (and Lubbock!) history. Panel sponsored by Agnew Associates, Inc.
A book signing will take place immediately following the panel.
Local writing legend, NYT, and USA Today best-selling author Jodi Thomas (Ransom Canyon series, Harmony series) will discuss the book business in our changing times. The industry is undergoing dramatic changes in how people consume their entertainment, from books and movies to streaming channels and games. Jodi will cover her experiences over the past few decades and how the industry has undergone a creative transformation.
A book signing will take place immediately following the panel.
Linda Broday (A Cowboy of Legend), Karen Witemeyer (The Heart’s Charge), and Heather Killough-Walden (Hour of the Dragon) join moderator DK Kerr (Last Chance Texas) as they discuss romance stories that come from the heart.
Let your imagination soar to brave new worlds featuring James Stoddard (Liberty Bell and the Last American), KJ Waters (Stealing Time), and Steve Curry (Austin Wyrd). Moderated by Dr. Keith West (TTU Physics Professor).
A book signing will take place immediately following the panel.
Writing Workshops
Located in the Children's Storybook Room (1st floor)
Join James Stoddard (Sci-fi/Fantasy), Rick Treon (Crime/Suspense), KJ Waters (Time Travel Suspense) and Dan Dwayne Spencer (Mystery/YA/Fantasy) as we invite you to submit a chapter or sample of your writing for critique. Deadline is September 6 to submit up to 3000 words of your first chapter or a representative sample for a review by one of the instructors. If you missed the deadline, or are shy, you will still get a lot out of this workshop as the authors cover material on plot development, story arc, self-editing, and more. Writers of all levels are welcome!
Sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste are five simple details that help make your fictional world come to life. Each sense is a powerful tool in its own way. Combined, they don’t simply describe the world that events take place in – they offer the reader a full, immersive experience. Grace Blair (Einstein’s Compass) will guide attendees through the writing process while paying special attention to these inclusive elements!
Check back later for more workshop information!
Jan Sikes (Ghostly Interference) reveals how to transform true stories through creative writing and fictitious characters to bring it to life! This workshop is perfect for anyone who’s considered penning a memoir or biography.
Mike Cox (Train Crash at Crush, Texas: America’s Deadliest Publicity Stunt) has written over seven million words in his career as an author! His collection of works is comprised of more than 30 nonfiction books and includes the acclaimed Texas Ranger History series, hundreds of magazine articles, newspaper columns, and essays. In this workshop, he will share his vast knowledge of writing to inspire your creativity and writing life, based on his upcoming book Seven Million Words.
On the Lawn
Located Outside Behind the Library
Check back later for more information on outdoor entertainment.
Check back later for more information on outdoor entertainment.
Sunday, September 26th
All Times TBA
Panels
Located in the Community Room (1st Floor)
Library Director, Stacy McKenzie and Mahon Branch Manager, Charley Whalen will present a discussion that will help authors get their children’s books purchased by libraries and schools. In addition to a great story and illustrations, considerations for STEAM components, Lexile levels, and readability will be discussed. See examples of some of the best books that hit these marks to make more sales and get more readers for you children’s book!
Lubbock has a number of children’s authors who write stories for young minds, helping to teach valuable lessons along the way. Join KCBD’s Karin McCay (The Magic Mommy series), S.J. Dahlstrom (Wilder Good series), and Teffanie Thompson (Dirt) for a discussion on creating valuable stories for children. Moderated by Literacy Lubbock Tiny Tot’s Reader Helen Liggett. Sponsored by UMC.
We have the incredible honor to host a group of best-selling authors on our teen fiction panel! A.G. Howard (Stain), Andrew J. Brandt (Mixtape for the End of the World), and Eliza Lainn (The Einherjar Games duology) chat about the magic, mayhem, and monsters rife in YA literature.
A book signing will take place immediately following the panel.
Writing Workshops
Located in the Children's Storybook Room (1st floor)
Local author and art teacher Dan-Dwayne will provide an art demonstration perfect for children and adults!
Check back later for more workshop information!
Check back later for more workshop information!
On the Lawn
Located Outside Behind the Library
Check back later for more information about Cathy Jewell’s Children’s Music.
Sit for a spell and enjoy some time with SJ Dahlstrom (Wilder Good series) as he reads stories from his works and talks about his horse Fancy.
Check back later for information on the outdoor entertainment!
Submissions for the 2021 Lubbock Book Festival are open now through August 2, 2021. Please click on the appropriate button above to apply.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
**Caprock Writers and Illustrators Alliance will have a special information session with Stacy McKenzie, the Lubbock Public Libraries Director, as she gives a more in depth look at the registration process during their July meeting.**
Our Sponsors
VIP Badges & Swag
What's included with a VIP Badge?
- exclusive access to the VIP Lounge
- a ticket for the Prologue Party
- a book of your choice by a local author
- $5 Friends of the Library Bucks
- swag from the sponsors
- and a free shirt! (if you’re an early bird)
Early Bird Special: Get an exclusive shirt for FREE with your VIP Badge!
Featured Authors
Hotel Accommodations
