America's literary tradition is world-renowned, and even today a plethora of excellent writers are producing work across the country. From Brooklyn to the Bay Area, New Orleans to Portland, the USA's best creative cities host literature festivals that celebrate the greatest local, national and international writers and thinkers. For a weekend getaway that will truly inspire you, book a ticket to attend one of these award-winning book festivals.
Brooklyn Book Festival
Championing the inclusive and diverse, Brooklyn Book Festival (in photo) is the largest free literature festival in New York City, and occurs every September, attracting more than 30, 000 bibliophiles to town. From readings to signings and panel discussions, the event attracts a diverse selection of internationally renowned authors like Joan Didion, Salman Rushdie and Dave Eggers. The festival also aims to celebrate the Brooklyn voice in literature, and champions the work of the many authors residing in the area.
Bay Area Book Festival
Taking place in downtown Berkeley every June, the Bay Area Book Festival is a literary extravaganza making use of the ample local literati living in the area. The two-day event takes place annually, and attracts more than 100, 000 visitors. You'll attend panel discussions, talks and workshops, as well as huge amounts of food trucks and stalls and quirky setups like Lacuna - an outdoor library where even the shelves are made of books.
Wordstock: Portland's Book Festival
An annual one-day event held every November in hip Oregon city Portland, Wordstock is a creative literary festival with thoughtful programming for all ages. Held at the Portland Art Museum and other areas in the surrounding area, you can attend panel discussions and pop up readings as well as writing workshops and young adult fiction events. There's extensive children's programming here, as well as non-literature focused activities like live music, and a tasty selection of local food trucks and craft beer from the cities large number of breweries.
PEN World Festival
An innovative book festival conceived of by international charity PEN, this annual event held in New York City attracts big names in the fields of literature and human rights like Salman Rushdie, Esther Allen and Michael Roberts. Focusing on international authors and new writers, the festival also aims to promote free speech and reading all over the world.
Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival
Dedicated to iconic American playwright Tennessee Williams, this festival takes place every March in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Since 1986, this five-day event features readings, workshops and panel discussions related to the late authors work, including the fantastic Stella and Stanley Shouting Contest. Not one for anyone with a sore throat, it re-enacts the famous scene in Williams' most loved play, A Streetcar Named Desire – which was also made into a movie in 1951, starring a young Marlon Brando.
Texas Book Festival
Creative city Austin hosts one of the biggest book festivals in the States every October. Texas Book Festival hosts over 250 acclaimed authors and in true Texan tradition, also has a huge array of live music, food trucks and fantastic local drinks to make the event unforgettable. If you want to meet some of your favourite authors, you'll also have excellent opportunities to - they offer an array of local excursions so you can enjoy their company while exploring the area - including biking and kayaking adventures.
Books By The Banks: Cincinnati USA Book Festival
For the past nine years, the town of Cincinnati in Ohio hosts a day long literary festival, which takes place every October. The festival invites over 100 authors to take part in the celebration of books and learning, and in particular emphasises their children's programming, which aims to encourage a love of reading in its youngest attendees. One of the unique highlights is an area set up with tables for each of the visiting authors, so that visitors can stop by and chat to their favourite writers in a casual environment. It's an inclusive, upbeat festival that makes literature feel open to everyone.