Bay Area Book Festival

We’ll see you on May 4 + 5, 2019!

Tens of thousands of book lovers meet hundreds of acclaimed authors over an exciting weekend in downtown Berkeley, California. One of the premier literary events in the nation!

2019 Festival Schedule

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Artist: Michael Wertz, Oakland, California

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Festival news: 2019 Festival tickets on sale now

Festival news: Sponsorships for the 2019 festival available

Program/
Schedule

Authors&
Speakers

Outdoor Fair

Children and
Family

Festival FAQ

2019 Featured Speakers

Kwame Anthony Appiah

Ann Beattie

Esi Edugyan

Anand Giridharadas

Moby

R.O. Kwon

Tayari Jones

Barry Lopez

Carmen Maria Machado

Joyce Carol Oates

Kwame Onwuachi

Nell Painter

Tommy Pico

Robert Reich

Linn Ullmann

Shane Bauer

Kiese Laymon

Ishmael Reed

Kim Stanley Robinson

David Wallace-Wells

Discover more speakers

“It was perfect. Couldn’t have been better. Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity.”

Robert Reich, Author

“My experience was unbelievable. Each of the panels I attended exceeded my expectations. This Festival was the high point of my year.”

Attendee

“My best festival experience ever.”

Pulitzer finalist Hernan Diaz

“I was incredibly inspired by how this Festival provides so many writers and artists with the opportunity to share their work with such a vibrant community in the Bay Area.”

Attendee

“I was truly impressed by the scope and diversity of the panels, participants, and overall programming.”

Maw Shein Win, Author

“The panelists were clearly selected with care, and in all cases I could have listened to them speak all day.”

Attendee

“All the writers I spoke to expressed their love and admiration for the Festival. I do mean all the writers – every single one.”

Marie Mockett, Author

“I’m pretty sure that everyone who attended will agree that they will be forever changed.”

Elizabeth Rosner, Author

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Donate

We keep the festival low cost so all can participate. Nearly 90% of our budget comes from donors and sponsors ─ and your donation is essential to making it all possible.
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Volunteer

Volunteers are a crucial part of the Festival’s success each year. No experience is necessary and you’ll enjoy learning what is required to produce a major literary event!
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