Festival Schedule & Events
Two days of authors, conversations, and stories in the heart of Salt Lake City.
- October 16–17, 2026
- The Gateway · Salt Lake City
The Prologue
- Salt Lake City
A festival kickoff — the night before
- Salt Lake City Library
Your $10 ticket gets you into The Prologue, our official festival kickoff, with appearances by Parvati Shallow and Jodi Picoult and more.
6:30 PM: Doors open at the main Library entrance.
7:00 PM: Adult Spelling Bee in the Auditorium. Come observe, heckle lovingly, or just watch the chaos.
8:00–10:00 PM: Rooftop party. Drinks, dancing, first dibbs on merch, authors, and a very good view of downtown.
Space is limited. Grab your ticket and come hang.
Location: Salt Lake City Public Library Main Branch
Ticket Price: $10.00
Festival Day
- The Gateway, 400 W 200 S
10:00AM
The Language of Stone
Brian Laidlaw & Nicholas Triolo
Each ticket includes entrance to the The Language of Stone panel featuring Brian Laidlaw and Nicholas Triolo
- Kiln Stage · The Gateway
- Panel Discussion
Magic, Desire, and Destiny: Inside the World of Romantasy
Jennifer K. Lambert, Bel Banta & Nghi Vo
A Conversation on Love, Magic, and the Rise of Romantasy. Featuring Jennifer K. Lambert, Bel Banta, and Nghi Vo
- Main Stage · The Gateway
- Panel Discussion
How to Escape a Playdate: Storytime
Rachel Michelle Wilson
This event is free and open to the public but we do request you RSVP for a read-aloud from Rachel Michelle Wilson’s brand-new picture book, How to Escape a Playdate: The Fun Way
- Kids Corner Stage · The Gateway
- Read-Aloud
- Free · RSVP Requested
11:30AM
Don't Read This Alone: Middle Grade Horror
Alexis Powell, Kaela Rivera, & A.M. Luzzader
This event is free and open to the public but we do request you RSVP for a panel featuring Alexis Powell, Kaela Rivera, and A.M. Luzzader
- Kids Corner Stage · The Gateway
- Panel Discussion
- Free · RSVP Requested
11:45AM
Outwit, Outplay, Out-Plot
Samantha Allen, Lovell Holder, Erica Hendry & Parvati Shallow
Each ticket includes entrance to Outwit, Outplay, Out-Plot panel featuring Samantha Allen, Lovell Holder, Erica Hendry, and Parvati Shallow
- Main Stage · The Gateway
- Panel Discussion
12:00PM
Perspectives Over Pints: Is It a Book?
Lyuba Basin & Theadora Soter
Each ticket includes entrance to Perspective Over Pints: Is It a Book with Lyuba Basin and Theadora Soter
- Kiln Stage · The Gateway
- Panel Discussion
1:00PM
Cuentos en Español
with Zyanya Bejarano
This event is free and open to the public but we do request you RSVP for a story hour with Zyanya Bejarano
- Children's Room Stage · The Gateway
- Story Hour
- Free · RSVP Requested
1:30PM
Into the Dark: A Conversation on Horror
Alexis Powell, Mathilda Zeller, Taylor Grothe & Abe Moss
Each ticket includes entrance to Into the Dark: A Conversation on Horror featuring Alexis Powell, Mathilda Zeller, Taylor Grothe, and Abe Moss
- Main Stage · The Gateway
- Panel Discussion
What the Land Knows: Memory, Ecology, and the Living Planet
Merritt R. Turetsky & Jason Dove Mark
Your $10 ticket gets you a seat for this hour-long panel on the Kiln Stage, plus you’re joining us for a full Saturday at the Salt Lake Book Festival, free and open to all
- Kiln Stage · The Gateway
- Panel Discussion
1:45PM
Fire in Your Belly: A Story Hour with Aly McKnight
Aly McKnight
This event is free and open to the public but we do request you RSVP for a story hour with Aly McKnight
- Kids Corner Stage · The Gateway
- Story Hour
- Free · RSVP Requested
3:10pm
Habibi Means Beloved
Featuring Moudi Sbeity, in Conversation with Erin Geesaman Rabke
Each ticket includes entrance to Habibi Means Beloved with Moudi Sbeity
- Kiln Stage · The Gateway
- Author Conversation
3:15pm
Been There, Done That: A History Lesson for Right Now
Featuring Greg Jackson, in Conversation with Robert Gehrke
Each ticket includes entrance to Been There, Done That: How Our History Shows What We Can Overcome with Greg Jackson
- Main Stage · The Gateway
- Author Conversation
3:45pm
Kills the Rules, Bury the Bones: A YA Horror Showdown
Bree Despain, Lindsay Lovise, & John Stephens
This event is free with a live Q&A with Bree Despain, Lindsay Lovise, and John Stephens
- Kids Corner Stage · The Gateway
- Author Q&A
5:30PM
A Conversation with Jodi Picoult
Jodi Picoult
Each ticket includes a signed hardcover copy of Hollow Bones as well as a professional photo taken with Jodi
- Offsite · West High School
- Signed hardcover + photo included
Attending Authors
We'd Love to See You There
Grab your tickets, explore the lineup, and start planning your perfect festival day.