National Book Award-honored novelists, James Beard Award nominees, and even an Emmy Award-winning actor will be headed into town to be part of the 14th annual San Antonio Book Festival (SABF). Organizers have announced the all-star author lineup for the annual celebration of reading, held April 12.
The free book festival, scheduled to take place at the Central Library and University of Texas at San Antonio Southwest Campus, features dozens of notable authors in presentations, panel discussions, and book signings, alongside activities designed to help children discover the joy of reading.
“Our lineup this year features a wonderful mix of local, regional, national, and international authors across many genres,” says Lisa Ayres, executive director of the San Antonio Book Festival, via a release. “There truly is something for everyone from creative memoirs to serious history, from poetry to cooking.”
Jenna Bush Hager will present a new book from her publishing imprint. Photo by John Nacion/Getty Images
For the first time this year, SABF is kicking off the festival with a special ticketed event featuring Today host Jenna Bush Hager. The former first daughter will be highlighting her new publishing imprint, Thousand Voices, and its latest book, Liar’s Dice, by debut novelist Juliet Faithfull. Tickets to the event, held April 9 at the Central Christian Church, are $42.56 and include a signed copy.
The festival will also be welcoming back cookbook authors for the first time since 2019. Some of the more notable names include popular YouTuber Arnie “ArnieTex” Segovia, TikTok forager Gabrielle Cerberville, and Andrew Ho, Andrew Samia, and Sean Wen, the James Beard–nominated chefs from San Antonio’s Curry Boys.
Arnie “ArnieTex” Segovia is one of the featured chefs during the book fest.Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Book Festival
Some of the other prominent guests include:
Booker Prize winner George SaundersNational Book Award finalist Megha MajumdarEmmy Award–winning actor and San Antonio native Jeff HillerBeloved novelist and poet Julia AlvarezMacArthur “Genius” Fellow Reginald Dwayne BettsInvestiGators creator John Patrick GreenKeeper of the Lost Cities scribe Shannon MessengerNew York Times bestselling author Dustin ThaoHorror novelist Xan Kaur Local children’s author Tiffany HammondAuthor-illustrator Zeke Peña Pulitzer Prize–winner Lawrence WrightFormer Texas Poet Laureate Amanda JohnstonFormer United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry CisnerosFormer San Antonio Mayor Ron NirenbergNowhere Bookshop owner and popular blogger Jenny Lawson
In addition to all of the author presentations, kids will be entertained by appearances from costumed children’s book characters, a free performance by Magik Theatre, interactive activities by local nonprofits, and complimentary snacks provided by H-E-B.
For a full list of appearances, click here. SABF will be releasing the full schedule in mid-March.