Louisiana Book Festival

Congratulations to Robert Gwaltney, a featured author at this year's , whose book SING DOWN THE MOON was listed in an exclusive essay on Southern Gothic novels for People online. Check it out here:

Southern Gothic Is Hotter Than a Texas Summer — Here’s Where to Start Reading (Exclusive Essay) In an exclusive essay for PEOPLE, ‘The Sins of Summer Daughters’ author Lo Patrick breaks down what makes Southern Gothic such a special genre and calls out a few must-read books to add to your TBR

Early exhibitor/vendor registration for 2026 is now open. Take advantage of discounted rates on booths, mini-booths, and Exhibitor’s Row tables until July 20! Learn more: https://www.louisianabookfestival.org/information/exhibitor-information/

Congratulations to Rob Franklin on this well deserved honor, and we look forward to welcoming him to Baton Rouge as a featured author at on October 31!

We're proud to announce that Rob Franklin has been named the recipient of the 19th annual Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence for his debut novel Great Black Hope.

Selected from among 25 entries by a national panel of literary judges, the bestselling novel tells the compelling story of Smith, a Black man navigating complex issues of race, class, consequences, a friend's mysterious death, and his own arrest.

Franklin will be recognized at a public ceremony on October 30 at the Manship Theater in Downtown Baton Rouge. This event will celebrate his remarkable debut and pay tribute to the legacy of Ernest J. Gaines, whose work continues to shape the landscape of American literature.

For more information, visit ernestjgainesaward.org.

Each year the Louisiana Book Festival commissions a Louisiana artist to provide the official artwork for the event. This year, visual artist and writer Malaika Favorite created the 2026 festival’s signature piece, titled PATH TO ENIGHTENMENT, which incorporates the first major work of each Louisiana Writer Award recipient in its design.

“My vision for the cover design was to create a scene of enlightenment, emphasizing the idea that books lead us to knowledge about ourselves and our world,” said Favorite. “I believe that events like the Louisiana Book Festival offer a break from the mundane and invite visitors to experience paths to illumination and discovery.”

Favorite, who is also a past featured author at the festival, joins the ranks of other influential Louisiana artists whose works have represented the event. PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT will be featured on a special commemorative poster and promotional materials.

See today’s news release for more about the artwork and the 2026 :https://www.louisianabookfestival.org/media/vdchjkeg/published2607_lbf_artwork_savethedate.pdf

Make your plans to join us in Baton Rouge on Saturday, October 31 for the state’s signature literary event! Full details, roster of writers, program schedule, and exhibitor information will be posted online over the coming weeks at LouisianaBookFestival.org.

Billy Nungesser Lt. Governor of Louisiana
Explore Louisiana
Visit Baton Rouge

More LBF alum news: Congratulations to Nicholas Patler, whose book PINCHBACK: AMERICA'S FIRST BLACK GOVERNOR, featured at last year's Festival, was named the winner of the 2025 Kemper and Leila Williams Prize by The Historic New Orleans Collection and Louisiana Historical Association. More: https://hnoc.org/news/hnoc-lha-select-pinchback-americas-first-black-governor-for-2025-williams-prize

Congratulations to PINCHBACK: AMERICA’S FIRST BLACK GOVERNOR, winner of The Historic New Orleans Collection’s 2025 Kemper and Leila Williams Prize in Louisiana History!

https://buff.ly/2k49HIp