Williamsburg Book Festival

Discover your next favorite read while exploring books from 75 authors and 2 local publishers. Stay for the featured speakers throughout the day!
Catherine Baab — Dead Broke, Deeply Weird, and Still Iconic: Why Poe Endures
Edgar Allan Poe suffered a lifetime of tragedies, then died broke and misunderstood—but he’s become one of the most enduring literary brands of all time. In this funny, myth-busting talk, Catherine Baab uncovers the real Poe: his Virginia roots, the craft choices that make his work unforgettable, and the life choices packed with lessons more timely than ever. Come for the juicy lore; leave with some surprisingly useful takeaways.
Yasmin Angoe — Plot Twists and Persistence: A Thriller Author’s Journey and Lessons Learned
From Northern Virginia roots to an optioned debut, Yasmin Angoe shares a road‑to‑publication story with the momentum of a thriller. She maps the rejections, rewrites, and lucky breaks behind the Nena Knight series, then shows how her process evolved—protecting voice, building discipline, and balancing ambition with life. Energizing, candid, and packed with actionable advice for aspiring and published writers.
Erika Howsare — Stitching a Wild Story: How The Age of Deer Was Made
Follow the tracks from field notes to finished pages. In this image‑rich, behind‑the‑scenes talk, Erika Howsare shows how she braided science, history, Indigenous knowledge, and hunting culture into a living narrative. From tools and maps to serendipity in Central Virginia, she makes big‑idea nonfiction feel close and human.
Marni Graff — Judge This Book: The Psychology and Craft of Irresistible Covers
Make your cover do its job. Author and editor Marni Graff translates design principles into author‑friendly steps: genre signals, typography, color, and the crucial thumbnail test. With real case studies and before‑and‑afters, you’ll leave with a practical checklist, resource links, and the confidence to brief a designer—whether you’re indie or traditionally published.