Book Events: Fairs, Festivals, and Conferences (2025 and 2026)
Check out our list of events from the beginning of the year.. To add an event, complete our form: Add a Book Festival or Fair to Our Calendar. You can also share event details in the Press Release section of our discussion forum.
Visit our Photo Gallery, Event Archives, and AALBC’s Events.
24 Events Found in New York
Color of Children’s Literature Conference
3009 Broadway, New York, New York 10027
Hosted by: Kweli Journal
Dates: Friday, March 31, 2023 to Sunday, April 2, 2023
Website: Color of Children’s Literature Conference
Email: events@kwelijournal.org
Description:
Kweli’s Color of Children’s Literature Conference is the nation’s first and largest conference for BIPOC creators of children’s and YA books. It is an excellent opportunity for writers and illustrators of color to learn, get inspired, and network with others in the industry. The conference honors the legacies of Walter Dean Myers, Eloise Greenfield, Floyd Cooper, and more as it celebrates and supports our unique voices, our nuanced stories, and our collective truth telling.
Learn more about Color of Children’s Literature Conference on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Sant Jordi Festival
NYU KJCC
53 Washington Square. New York, NY, New York, New York
Hosted by: Saint Jordi usa
Date: Sunday, April 23, 2023
Time:
Website: Sant Jordi Festival
Email: saintjordiusa@gmail.com
Description:
This year Saint Jordi usa is hybrid, with in person events in Chicago and New York and online programming.
Learn more about Sant Jordi Festival on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature
Various Venues
Hosted by: PEN America
Dates: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 to Saturday, May 13, 2023
Website: PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature
Email: festival@pen.org
Description:
PEN World Voices is America’s only international literary festival, attracting the best-known writers from across the globe. Since its founding, they have presented more than 1,500 writers and artists from 118 countries speaking 56 languages in venues across New York City in a weeklong series of literary events with a human rights focus. The Festival was founded by Salman Rushdie, Esther Allen, and Michael Roberts in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, with the aim of broadening channels of dialogue between the United States and the world—a mission that, today, has never been more relevant.
Learn more about PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Biographers International Organization Annual Conference
CUNY Graduate Center
365 5th ave, New York, New York
Hosted by: Biographers international Organization
Dates: Friday, May 19, 2023 to Monday, May 22, 2023
Website: Biographers International Organization Annual Conference
Email: submit form
Description:
Mentor and advise attendees on a wide variesty of topics related to marketing biography
Learn more about Biographers International Organization Annual Conference on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Brooklyn Comic Con
The Breeze
314 scholes st, New York, New York 11206
Hosted by: Sexy Nerds
Dates: Saturday, June 10, 2023 to Sunday, June 11, 2023
Website: Brooklyn Comic Con
Email: info@bkcomiccon.com
Description:
Exhibit of cosplay, video games, music, and other entertainment.
Learn more about Brooklyn Comic Con on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Festival of Women Writers
Dates: Friday, June 16, 2023 to Sunday, June 18, 2023
Website: Festival of Women Writers
Phone: 607-538-9222
Email: hobartfestivalofwomenwriters@gmail.com
Description:
The Festival of Women Writers has become a highly anticipated event, unique among cultural happenings in the Catskill Region, especially in Delaware County. The Festival will celebrate its fourth year in the Hobart Book Village, “the reading capital of New York State.” Since its inception, the Festival has created space for established and emerging women writers to share their insights and skills through a variety of writing activities and public readings with audiences throughout Delaware County, the state of New York, and beyond.
Poet Cheryl Clarke, novelist Breena Clarke, and Barbara Balliet are festival’s cofounders.
Learn more about Festival of Women Writers on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Sarah Lawrence College Writers Week
Sarah Lawrence College
Hosted by: SLC Writing Institute and Theater program
Dates: Friday, August 11, 2023 to Friday, August 18, 2023
Website: Sarah Lawrence College Writers Week
Email: submit form
Description:
Writers week at Sarah Lawrence College offers creative young people an immersive week-long oppurtunity to engage with creative writing and the performance arts.
Learn more about Sarah Lawrence College Writers Week on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
New York Comic Con
Javitz Center
Hosted by: ReedPOP Events
Dates: Thursday, October 12, 2023 to Sunday, October 15, 2023
Website: New York Comic Con
Email: Inquiry@NYComicCon.com
Description:
“…if you’re a speculative fiction author (horror, fantasy, paranormal, urban fantasy, sci-fi, etc.) you should definitely go”—Cerece Rennie Murphy
New York Comic Con is the East Coast's biggest and most exciting popular culture convention. Our Show Floor plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television.
Learn more about New York Comic Con on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
National Book Awards
Cipriani Wall Street
Hosted by: National Book Foundation
Date: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Time:
Website: National Book Awards
Description:
Attendance by invitation only.
All of the authors of African descent who have won a National Book Award.
Watch vidoes the 67th annual National Book Awards (2016), hosted by Larry Wilmore
Learn more about National Book Awards on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Mosaic Literary Conference
The Bronx Museum of the Arts
1040 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10456, Bronx, New York
Hosted by: The Literary Freedom Project
Date: Monday, November 20, 2023
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website: Mosaic Literary Conference
Phone: 347-454-2161
Email: ron@literaryfreedom.org
Description:
The Mosaic Literary Conference provides a platform for literature-based creative thinking and knowledge sharing. Each year we invite educators, community and arts organizations, as well as the public to participate in a variety of workshops. This conference was founded by Ron Kavanaugh
Learn more about Mosaic Literary Conference on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Digital Book World
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
West 53rd Street , New York, New York 10019
Hosted by: Score Publishing
Dates: Monday, January 15, 2024 to Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Website: Digital Book World
Description:
As part of the 2018 Digital Book World (DBW) — two industry veterans will be the first to be inducted into the new Publishing Hall of Fame. The first inductee is Marie Dutton Brown, the iconic editor and literary agent who successfully championed diversity in publishing over the course of her 50-year career.
Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
National Black Writers Conference
Medgar Evers College
1650 Bedford Ave., Founders Auditorium, Brooklyn, NY 11225, Brooklyn, New York
Hosted by: Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College
Dates: Wednesday, March 20, 2024 to Saturday, March 23, 2024
Website: National Black Writers Conference
Phone: 718-804-8883
Email: writers@mec.cuny.edu
Description:
More than 50 Black writers, publishing executives, and literary activists will gather to discuss the triumphs and challenges facing Black writers today. Students, scholars, writers, readers, and literature enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds are welcome.
Learn more about National Black Writers Conference on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
The Bronx Bookworm Book Festival
Fordham Plaza and Fordham University
1 Fordham Plz, Bronx, New York 10458
Hosted by: The Bronx is Reading
Dates: Thursday, June 6, 2024 to Sunday, June 9, 2024
Website: The Bronx Bookworm Book Festival
Email: events@thebronxisreading.com
Description:
The Bronx is Reading promotes literacy and fosters a love of reading among children, teens, and adults through its multidimensional initiatives including the annual Bronx Book Festival.
Learn more about The Bronx Bookworm Book Festival on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Kwame Alexander Writers’ Lab & Conference at Chautauqua Institution
Chautauqua Institution
1 Ames Ave., Chautauqua, New York 14722
Hosted by: Manager of Literary Arts
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Time:
Website: Kwame Alexander Writers’ Lab & Conference at Chautauqua Institution
Phone: 716-357-6255
Email: chqliteraryarts@gmail.com
Description:
The 2024 Kwame Alexander Writers’ Lab & Conference was previously known as the Chautauqua Writers’ Festival
In addition to opportunities to take two Master Classes with well-renown faculty writers in a selected genre track, attendees can also experience an opening and closing keynote address, featured speaker events, mix and mingle events with publishers and agents, and panel conversations. All these features are included in the cost of Standard Registration.
Our Genre Tracks [2024]:
- Memoir
- Poetry
- Children’s Literature
Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
African American Literary Awards Show
Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture
515 Malcolm X Blvd. (135th & Lenox), New York, New York
Hosted by: Yvette Hayward
Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Website: African American Literary Awards Show
Email: yvette@literaryawardshow.com
Price: $55
Description:
Started in 2004, The African American Literary Award show is the brainchild of Yvette Hayward. The show celebrates and uplifts Black literature.
Learn more about African American Literary Awards Show on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
National Black Writers Biennial Symposium
Medgar Evers College
1650 Bedford Ave., Founders Auditorium, Brooklyn, NY 11225, Brooklyn, New York
Hosted by: Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College
Dates: Thursday, March 27, 2025 to Saturday, March 29, 2025
Website: National Black Writers Biennial Symposium
Phone: 718-804-8883
Email: writers@mec.cuny.edu
Description:
In 2025, honoring Tony Medina and Rita Williams-Garcia for their contributions to Black Young Adult & Middle Grade Literature.
Learn more about National Black Writers Biennial Symposium on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
New York Antiquarian Book Fair
Park Avenue Armory
643 Park Avenue (bet 66th and 67th streets), New York, 10065, New York, New York
Hosted by: Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America & International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (sanctioned by)
Dates: Thursday, April 3, 2025 to Sunday, April 6, 2025
Website: New York Antiquarian Book Fair
Phone: 212.777.5218
Email: info@sanfordsmith.com
Description:
2020 is the 60th Year
This book fair is officially sanctioned by the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers. The consumer can rely upon the experience and professionalism of participating dealers and the authenticity of the items available for purchase. All books, manuscripts and related material have been carefully examined for completeness and bibliographic accuracy.
Learn more about New York Antiquarian Book Fair on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
U.S. Book Show
New York Academy of Medicine
1216 5th Avenue, New York, New York 10029
Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Time:
Website: U.S. Book Show
Description:
Enjoy a wide array of book and author panels; programming geared to publishing professionals; and sponsered PubHubs where attendees can gather and download resources.
Learn more about U.S. Book Show on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Schomburg Center Literary Festival
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
515 Malcolm X Blvd., New York, New York
Hosted by: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Date: Monday, June 16, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Website: Schomburg Center Literary Festival
Phone: 2123481532
Email: Schomburglitfest@nypl.org
Description:
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of global black experiences. Our new Schomburg Center Literary Festival expands our long tradition of championing authors of African descent from across the globe and publications that celebrate Black history and culture. The day-long book festival will feature exhibitors, readings, panel discussions, workshops and more for all ages, from prose to poetry, comic books to young adult novels, fiction and non-fiction.
Learn more about Schomburg Center Literary Festival on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
ThrillerFest
New York Hilton Midtown
1335 Ave Of The Americas, New York, New York 10019
Dates: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 to Saturday, June 21, 2025
Website: ThrillerFest
Email: KimberelyHowe@thrillerwriters.org
Description:
The ThrillerFest is an annual conference of the international Thrilller Writers. This organization was created by several 2005 bestselling authors in order to bring thousands of writers, readers, publishers, producers, editors and agents together to promote and support thriller everywhere.
Learn more about ThrillerFest on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Black Authors Festival
Breakwater Yacht Club
51 Bay St, Sag Harbor, New York 11963
Hosted by: Darlene Williams and Verdel Jones - Co-Founders
Date: Saturday, August 2, 2025
Time:
Website: Black Authors Festival
Email: nationalblackauthorsfestival@gmail.com
Description:
The Black Authors Festival @SagHarbor, a nationally celebrated in-person event recently recognized by USA Today as one of the Top Best New Festivals in the Nation! Nestled on the scenic East End of Long Island in the historic village of Sag Harbor, the festival celebrates the vibrant literary culture of the African American community by bringing together both emerging and renowned Black authors from across the country.
Sag Harbor holds deep roots in Black American history, serving as both a year-round haven for Black writers and a cherished summer retreat for families. This unique setting provides the perfect backdrop to honor literary excellence, elevate underrepresented voices, and foster meaningful cultural exchange.
Learn more about Black Authors Festival on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Harlem Book Fair
Harlem State Office Building Plaza
163 West 125th Street, New York, New York 10027
Hosted by: Max Rodriguez
Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Website: Harlem Book Fair
Email: hbf@qbr.com
Description:
The Harlem Book Fair is the United State’s largest African-American book fair and the nation’s flagship Black literary event. Held annually in Harlem, NY, the Harlem Book Fair features exhibition booths, panel discussions, book sales, and workshops.
The Phillis Wheatley Book Awards are presented in conjunction with this event.
Learn more about Harlem Book Fair on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Brooklyn Book Festival
Brooklyn Borough Hall and Vicinity
209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201
Hosted by: Brooklyn Book Festival, Inc. and Brooklyn Book Festival Literary Council
Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Website: Brooklyn Book Festival
Phone: 570-362-6657
Email: lkoch@brooklynbookfestival.org
Description:
The Brooklyn Book Festival is the largest free literary event in New York City, presenting an array of national and international literary stars and emerging authors. One of America’s premier book festivals, this hip, smart diverse gathering attracts thousands of book lovers of all ages to enjoy authors and the festival’s lively literary marketplace.
The Brooklyn Book Festival is really more than a week of events which culminates on “Festival Day.”
Learn more about Brooklyn Book Festival on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Albany Book Festival
University at Albany
1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222
Hosted by: The New York State Writers Institute and University at Albany
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Time:
Website: Albany Book Festival
Phone: 518 442-5620
Email: writers@albany.edu
Description:
The Albany Book Festival, established in 2018, draws thousands of book lovers from across the Capital Region and beyond to an intellectually stimulating and dynamic daylong event on the University at Albany uptown campus that promotes literacy and fosters a love of reading among all ages.
This annual fall festival features bestselling authors, panel discussions, book-signing sessions, online workshops for aspiring writers, and areas dedicated to young-adult and children's books. Regional authors and poets join in open mic sessions. Dozens of authors, bookstores, publishers, and literary organizations will be featured online.
Learn more about Albany Book Festival on AALBC.com.Back to our list of events from the beginning of the year.
Check out our coverage of past events.