Pittsburgh Book Festival 2026

An annual festival for book lovers, by book lovers that brings dozens of nationally renowned authors to the region.

Get ready to celebrate Pittsburgh's rich literary community and love for reading at the annual Pittsburgh Book Festival, a free event that features nationally renowned authors with ties to Pittsburgh, dozens of poets, children’s activities, book and comic stores, entertainment, publishers and more.

Stop by the Carnegie Library of Oakland on May 30, 2026 to be part of the action.

What to expect

There is something for everyone to enjoy at the Pittsburgh Book Fest!

Listen to authors, writers and illustrators talk about their books. Additionally, ask questions or have your favorite author sign a copy of your current read.

Check out exhibitors, including bookstores, comic shops, publishers and literary groups that are on-site to showcase their knowledge and sell what’s hot off the press. Hear from dozens of poets throughout the day.

Bring the kids and allow them to discover the wonders of reading through children’s literature authors, hands-on activities like book making and writing in braille, and entertainment, including puppet shows and storytime sessions.

There is plenty for individuals of all ages to enjoy. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all attendees and purposefully gather a diverse variety of authors across a plethora of genres.

Credit |
Taylor Spirito
Credit |
Taylor Spirito

2026 Authors

Children's

  • Erin Frankel
  • Malcolm Newsome
  • Eureka O'Hara

Fantasy

  • Jorge Aguirre
  • Frederic S. Durbin
  • Sarah Beth Durst
  • Julie Leong
  • Winona Nelson
Pictured |
Sarah Beth Durst is attending the 2026 Pittsburgh Book Festival
Pictured |
Sarah Beth Durst is attending the 2026 Pittsburgh Book Festival

Fiction

  • Sheldon Costa
  • Alyssa Reynoso-Morris
  • Steven Rowley
  • Brandy Schillace

Historical Fiction

  • Chanel Cleeton
  • Milo Todd

Horror

  • Kylie Lee Baker
  • Nicholas Belardes
  • Carter Keane
  • CJ Leede
  • Sam Rebelein
  • Leila Siddiqui
  • Vincent Tirado
  • Tlotlo Tsamaase

Memoir

  • Anna Monardo
  • Denali Nalamalapu

Middle Grade

  • Meg Medina
  • Cassandra Ramos-Gomez
  • Ally Russell
  • Kat Zhang

Mystery

  • Anna Bruno
  • Rachel Ekstrom Courage

Nonfiction

  • Julia Flint
  • Daniel Kraus
  • Dani Lamorte
  • Beronda L. Montgomery
  • Ashanté M. Reese

Pennsylvanian/Pittsburgh

  • Tory Mather

Romance

  • Emma R. Alban
  • TJ Alexander
  • Liana De la Rosa
  • Chloe Liese

Romantasy

  • Mai Corland
  • Sarah Glenn Marsh
Credit |
Taylor Spirito
Credit |
Taylor Spirito

Science Fiction

  • Elizabeth Bear
  • John Chu
  • Isabel J. Kim

Suspense

  • Lacey N. Dunham
  • Marisa Walz

Thriller

  • Canwen Xu

Young Adult

  • Ciera Burch
  • Ryan Douglass
  • Cassandra James
  • Michael G. Long
  • Sonido Reyes

Poets

  • Judith Sanders
  • Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie
  • Robert Walicki
  • Najya Williams

Programming (TBA for 2026)

Workshops (TBA for 2026)

Taylor S.

Author

Taylor S.

Content Development Manager

A friendly neighborhood Pittsburgh transplant. Probably at book club, a local coffee shop or thrift store. Tell your pet I said hi.