The Decatur Book Festival (DBF) will return on Oct. 4-5, with a notable appearance from longtime Georgia lawmaker, bestselling author and voting rights activist Stacey Abrams.
According to a press release, Abrams is scheduled to open Saturday’s events as the “Kidnote” speaker and share the third installment of her children’s book series, Stacey Speaks Up. The book, which will be published on Sept. 24, is part of her #1 New York Times bestselling and NAACP Image Award–winning Stacey’s Stories picture book series, all written by Abrams and illustrated by Kitt Thomas.
“The Decatur Book Festival has always been a vibrant autumn event that ushers in great stories and welcomes the community to join in the bounty,” Abrams said in a statement. “I look forward to sharing my new children’s book, Stacey Speaks Up, with families and to lifting up the joy of reading.”
Following a pause in 2023, the festival will bring live author Q&As, book signings and a spectrum of activities, entertainment and exhibitors to Decatur, with events happening at the First Baptist Church, the Marriott Courtyard, DeKalb County Public Library, The Reading Room and the Decatur Square.
Major sponsors at the “Literary Luminary” level ($100,000 +) include DeKalb County and the Joe Barry Carroll Family Foundation.
“The Decatur Book Festival is an economic catalyst, attracting visitors and generating significant revenue for local businesses in the City of Decatur and beyond. As someone who has been an avid attendee of the Decatur Book Festival, I’m thrilled that it is returning this October,” said Michael L. Thurmond, DeKalb County CEO and published author. “It’s a beloved cultural event for so many book enthusiasts, and DeKalb County is proud to sponsor the festival this year.”
Joe Barry Carroll, former NBA All-Star, philanthropist and award-winning author, has been a steadfast advocate for the Decatur Book Festival for years.
“I am unable to consider a life, culture or society without books to read, explore and consider. Books and the information and stories they contain are the mark of a civilized society. We need what’s inside books. Without books and all they contain, we perish,” says Joe Barry Carroll. “Our foundation sponsors the Decatur Book Festival because it does the necessary work of building a civilized society by connecting books and the people who write them, with the people who love and need them.”
Additional sponsors include Emory University, DeKalb County Public Library and The DeKalb Library Foundation, Georgia Humanities, First Baptist Church of Decatur, Atlanta Writers Club, the City of Decatur, Decide DeKalb Development Authority, Rough Draft Atlanta and Chicory Wealth. As for the featured booksellers, DBF is proud to partner with Brave and Kind Bookshop, Charis Books and More, Eagle Eye Books and Little Shop of Stories.
The return of DBF promises a weekend of community, connection and creative inspiration amongst meaningful storytelling and conversations. Additional lineups and programming are to be announced in the coming months.
The Decatur Book Festival continues to welcome financial and in-kind supporters at all levels for this year’s festival. For inquiries, please contact Executive Director Leslie Wingate at leslie@decaturbookfestival.com
Visit decaturbookfestival.com for updates on author appearances and events.
