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Baltimore
Book FestivalLEARN MORE2019 RECAPThe Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) announces updates to programming and events previously scheduled for Fall 2020. Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis, BOPA has postponed the Baltimore Book Festival until 2021 and Light City until 2022. BOPA continues supporting the greater creative community, working with artists, cultural institutions, state and civic organizations, and educational entities to find innovative ways to ensure that greater Baltimore continues to benefit from Baltimore City’s thriving arts and literary scene.

Literary
Celebration
- Panels
- Cooking Demonstrations
- Workshops
- Performances
The Baltimore Book Festival features hundreds of appearances by local, celebrity and nationally known authors, book signings, more than 100 exhibitors and booksellers, nonstop readings on multiple stages, cooking demos by top chefs, poetry readings, workshops, panel discussions, storytellers and hands-on projects for kids, live music, and a thoughtfully curated food, craft beer, and wine program.
Our booksellers are knowledgeable and friendly, ready to recommend based on your personal preferences.
Programming
Partners
The Baltimore Book Festival has a group of great programming partners that present interesting authors and topics over the festival weekend.
This group includes special places such as the Enoch Pratt Free Library Children's Stage, where you can see your favorite children and YA authors, and the Ivy Bookshop, the festival’s official bookseller, as a meeting place for people to connect right in the middle of all of the major literary venues.
A heartfelt thank you to the Baltimore Book Festival's program partners:
Charm City Comic Pavilion, programmed by Artway Alliance, whose mission is to teach students of various ages and artistic backgrounds how to create and market their original ideas for characters and stories with the help of Independent and Mainstream Artists and Writers in the industry.
CityLit Project, curator of the CityLit Stage, is a cultural institution that builds and connects a literary community of avid readers and writers throughout Maryland, offering a wide range of programs, creating opportunities for growth, and platforms to engage emerging and established writers.
Enoch Pratt Free Library Children's Stage features interactive programs for the whole family, with popular local and nationally known authors of books for children and teens. Staff will be available all weekend for library card sign-ups to start your journey at the Enoch Pratt Free Library. You're Free to Bmore #atthepratt. The Enoch Pratt Free Library’s mission is to provide equal access to information, services, and opportunities that empower, enrich, and enhance the quality of life for all.
New for 2019, Baltimore Book Festival welcomes the Invisible Majority Stage. Invisible Majority is a Baltimore-based creative community incubator providing space, services, and support to Baltimore's independent creative business community.
The Ivy Bookshop, official bookseller of the Baltimore Book Festival, is proud to showcase The Ivy Bookshop Stage. The Ivy Bookshop is a locally owned independent bookshop committed to supporting and celebrating book culture in Baltimore.
The Maryland Romance Writers Stage presents three days of craft discussions and hands-on how-to advice from some of the top authors in romantic and best-selling commercial fiction. Authors will be on hand to discuss their work, sign books, and pass out bookmarks, postcards, and other fun swag. The mission of Maryland Romance Writers, Chapter No. 10 of Romance Writers of America®, is to promote excellence in romantic fiction and advance the professional interests of career-focused romance writers.
Presented by Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse—celebrating its 15th birthday this year!— the Radical Bookfair Pavilion brings together the best of the left, presenting cutting-edge, uncompromising views on contemporary politics, social theory, and beyond.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Stage hosts a full weekend of genre-related panels and signings by all your new favorite writers. SFWA's mission as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization is to promote, educate, defend, and advocate for our fellow writers and the fantasy and science fiction genres.
Featured Authors
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FEATUREDCarla HallAUTHOR | CHEFBorn in Nashville, TN, Carla grew up surrounded by soul food. When the time came for her to select her career path, she first opted for a business route – she graduated from Howard University's Business School and worked as an accountant for two years – before deciding to switch gears to work as a runway model.
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FEATUREDKaryn ParsonsAUTHOR | PRODUCERKaryn Parsons is perhaps best known for her role as Will Smith's cousin Hilary Banks on NBC's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. However, after leaving acting behind, Karyn has gone on to found and produce Sweet Blackberry, an award-winning series of children's animated films, to share stories about unsung black heroes in history.