SAN ANTONIO (March 4, 2026) — The San Antonio Book Festival has unveiled its 2026 author lineup, featuring more than 110 local, regional and national writers who will participate in the free, family-friendly literary celebration on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
The festival will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. across two downtown locations: the San Antonio Central Library and the University of Texas at San Antonio Southwest Campus.
Now in its 14th year, the festival attracts more than 22,000 attendees annually for a day filled with author presentations, panel discussions, book signings, literary conversations, food trucks and activities for children and teens.
Nationally Recognized Authors Headline the Festival
This year’s lineup features a diverse group of award-winning and bestselling writers including:
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Julia Alvarez
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George Saunders
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Jeff Hiller
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Megha Majumdar
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Arnie Segovia
Booker Prize winner George Saunders will appear to discuss his latest novel Vigil, while National Book Award finalist Megha Majumdar will present her new novel A Guardian and a Thief, an Oprah Book Club selection set in a near-future Kolkata.
San Antonio native Jeff Hiller will share stories from his memoir Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success, chronicling his unconventional journey to Hollywood.
Meanwhile, celebrated novelist and poet Julia Alvarez will present her latest poetry collection Visitations, reflecting on memories, identity and the experiences that shaped her life.
Festival Weekend Kickoff Event
New this year, the festival will launch with a special ticketed kickoff event featuring Jenna Bush Hager. The event will celebrate her publishing imprint Thousand Voices and the debut novel Liar’s Dice by Juliet Faithfull.
The event will take place Thursday, April 9, at Central Christian Church. Tickets include a signed copy of the book.
Programming for Readers of All Ages
The festival’s programming spans a wide variety of genres, from poetry and memoir to history, horror, romance and cookbooks.
Food lovers will find sessions featuring cookbook authors including Arnie Segovia, whose online cooking videos have millions of followers, and the James Beard–nominated chefs from San Antonio’s Curry Boys BBQ, who will present their new cookbook Asian Smoke: Thai and Southeast Asian Barbecue from the Curry Boys.
Children’s programming will feature interactive activities, costumed storybook characters, a performance by The Magik Theatre and complimentary snacks provided by sponsor H-E-B.
Young readers can also meet popular authors including John Patrick Green, Shannon Messenger, Natalie Riess and Sara Goetter, while teens can attend sessions with bestselling authors Dustin Thao and Xan Kaur.
Spotlight on Texas and San Antonio Authors
The 2026 festival will also feature a strong lineup of Texas writers, including Pulitzer Prize–winning author Lawrence Wright and former Texas Poet Laureate Amanda Johnston.
San Antonio voices will also be well represented with appearances by former mayors Henry Cisneros, Ron Nirenberg, and Nelson W. Wolff, along with local authors including Marcia Argueta Mickelson and Jenny Lawson, owner of Nowhere Bookshop.
Nowhere Bookshop will serve as the festival’s official bookseller, hosting book sales and signings throughout the day.
A Celebration of Reading and Community
Festival organizers say the event is designed to celebrate the power of storytelling while reconnecting communities through literature.
“As we celebrate our 14th year, we’re thrilled to welcome the entire community to this free event in the heart of downtown San Antonio,” said Lisa Ayres, executive director of the festival. “There truly is something for everyone.”
Anna Dobben, literary director of the festival, added that the event encourages curiosity and discovery.
“Adventure isn’t just found in distant travel,” Dobben said. “It’s found at the completely free, family-friendly Book Festival at the heart of downtown San Antonio.”
The full author lineup and event schedule will be available in mid-March at sabookfestival.org.