Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books Offers Author Talks, Activities for Youths
This year’s Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books will include a schedule full of author talks, panel discussions, poetry readings, book signings, and workshops as well as food trucks and exhibitors.
Learn More
The third annual festival will be held May 11 at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in East Liberty.
More than 70 writers spanning such genres as romance and thrillers to horror, cozy mysteries, and nonfiction will attend. Among this year’s featured writers are Ross Gay, author of four books of poetry, including “Be Holding,” winner of the PEN American Literary Jean Stein Award, and Sebastian Junger, bestselling author of “Tribe” and “The Perfect Storm” and co-director of Oscar-nominated documentary “Restrepo.”
Other featured authors include Eloisa James, bestselling author of more than 30 historical romance novels, and Benjamin Herold, author of “Disillusioned,” which explores American public schools.
Pittsburgh Stories
Part of this year’s programming will focus on stories revolving around Pittsburgh. Herold’s book focuses on a Black family’s experience in his childhood neighborhood, which was once predominantly white.
Additionally, a lineup of Pittsburgh-themed panels will uncover little-known parts of the city’s history, discuss social justice in Pittsburgh, and dig into the city’s true crime stories. Screenwriter and University of Pittsburgh lecturer Carl Kulander will moderate a panel of Pittsburgh memoirists.
Activities for Youths
For young children and their caregivers, the festival will feature interactive storytime with popular children’s authors. Erin Danielle Russell will discuss “Seoul Food,” which takes readers on the journey of a young biracial girl who celebrates her Korean and Black cultures through cuisine.
Attendees will be able to visit a tent dedicated to Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s 2024 Best Books for Babies, a nationally recognized section updated annually by local librarians and child development experts.
Older youths can attend panels on a variety of topics. Pittsburgh young adult authors and married writing team Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick will discuss “From Pittsburgh With Love.”
Young readers can pre-register for the annual summer reading program, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s 2024 Read-a-Palooza Book Bowl, which runs from June 16 to Aug. 11. The program challenges young readers to log at least five books during that time period.
The festival will also feature workshops and activities for children and teens. Attendees can make their own zine with author-illustrator Sharee Miller (“Don’t Touch My Hair!”) and create digital comics with Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Makerspace. Guests can also create friendship bracelets.
The city’s website has a complete listing of all activities, workshops, and participating authors.
More Details
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 11 at 616 North Highland Avenue. Free parking will be available on the campus of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and across the street at the Obama Academy.
Those interested in volunteering can sign up on the festival’s website. Although not required, registration is encouraged for select author sessions and panels as space might be limited.