10:15
Festival Kickoff
Welcome to the 7th Annual Fredericksburg Independent Book Festival! Join organizers Chris Jones and James Noll as they kick off this exciting celebration of books, authors, and readers. We’re thrilled to have you here, whether you’re an attendee or exhibitor, to enjoy a full day of literary inspiration, conversation, and community.
10:45-11:00
Opening Keynote
“Living in the Age of Endless Choices”
Brian Paone
Join Brian Paone as he explores the evolution of the publishing world in his keynote address. Paone will discuss how readers now have unprecedented access to books—through platforms like Amazon, book festivals, and even authors’ personal websites—and how the shift from the dominance of the Big Five to self-publishing and indie publishing has transformed the literary landscape. He’ll highlight how readers, by embracing non-traditional authors, have played a pivotal role in reshaping the market for the better.
12:30-1:00
“Finding Inspiration in Folklore”
Meredith Stoddard
In this author talk, Meredith Stoddard discusses the different ways folklore inspires her writing from fantasy to romcom.
1:15-1:45
Panel: Horror, Sci-Fi, Mystery
In this diverse panel of horror, sci-fi, and mystery writers, you’ll dive into their creative process behind crafting suspenseful, thought-provoking stories. You’ll also discover how they develop gripping plots, build immersive worlds, and keep readers on the edge of their seats.
- Brian Paone (Sci-Fi)
- Keisha Willi (Horror)
- Rysa Walker (Sci-Fi)
Moderator: Austin Camacho
2:00-2:30
Panel: Captivating Children & Raising Readers
Explore the art of captivating young minds as children’s authors discuss how they craft engaging stories that inspire a love of reading. Learn how they create relatable characters, foster imagination, and encourage lifelong literacy in today’s young readers.
- Dr. Kim Matthews (Children’s)
- Leslie Tayloe (Children’s)
- Katie Otey (YA)
Moderator: Jen Furlong
2:45-3:15
Panel: Historic Fiction, Fantasy & Romance
Join an insightful panel of historical fiction, fantasy, and romance writers as they share their unique approaches to storytelling. Discover how they blend rich historical details, imaginative worlds, and emotional depth to create captivating narratives that resonate with readers.
- Henry Rozycki (Historical Fiction)
- Alex Crawford (Historical Fiction)
- Bronwyn Chisholm (Historical Romance)
Moderator: Steve Watkins
3:15-3:30
Annual Awards Presentation
Booth Contest
Join us as we celebrate creativity and innovation with our “Best Booth Award”! This contest recognizes the standout exhibitor with the most engaging and visually impressive display. Two honorable mentions will also be awarded to booths that show exceptional creativity and audience appeal.
4:00
End of Event