9th Annual Bronx Book Festival

Books, Culture, & Community : Join TBIR for 9th Annual Bronx Book Festival, featuring a full day of programming and activities.
About this Event

Join us for our 9th Annual Festival! We are honored to welcome marquee keynote speakers this year, accompanied by other established and emerging names in literature right now.

UPTOWN STAGE | PANEL PROGRAMMING (Subject to change without warning)

Sponsored by Simon & Schuster

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Check-in

10:00 AM-10:40 AM | Off the Record: What Nobody Tells You About Writing a Novel

Join bestselling and critically acclaimed authors Benedict Nguyen (Hot Girls with Balls), Cleyvis Natera (The Grand Paloma Resort), Clarence A. Haynes (The Broken Hearts Agency), Nafissa Thompson Spires (The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milford) for a lively conversation exploring craft, character, and the evolving landscape of contemporary fiction.Moderated by Jordan Hernandez, Completely Booked

Signing - 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM

11:00 AM - 11:40 AM | Monsters, Magic, and Meaning: Speculative Fiction as a Mirror for Reality

Step into new worlds with Isabel Kim (Sublimation), Nicole Glover (The Starseekers), Andrea Hairston (The Redemption Center is Closed on Sundays), Vincent Tirado (You Should’ve Been Nicer to My Mom), as they discuss fantasy, horror and speculative storytelling that pushes boundaries and reimagines possibility. Moderated by Jordan Hernandez, Completely Booked

Signing - 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM

12:00 Noon 12:40 PM | Nothing But the Truth: Writing Through Pain, Memory, and Witness

Join Sarah Aziza (The Hollow Half), Camonghne Felix (Let The Poets Govern), Tamela J. Gordon (Hood Wellness), Lisa E. Davis (Our Minds Were Always Free) for a powerful discussion on truth-telling, healing, and the role of story in documenting lived experience. Moderated by Jessica Diaz (Oyemé)

Signing - 12:45 PM - 1:15 PM

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Keynote with Tiffany D. Jackson with Maiya the Don

Join New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson (Scammer, Blood in the Water) in conversation with Maiya the Don as they discuss Tiffany’s impact on Black storytelling, centering complex Black girls, and weaving dynamic, thought provoking stories and more.

Signing - 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

2:00 PM - 2:40 PM | Bronx Keeps Creating It

Celebrate queer storytelling with writers from the Bronx featuring Clarence A. Haynes (The Broken Hearts Agency), Vincent Tirado (You Should’ve Been Nicer to My Mom), Camonghne Felix (Let The Poets Govern), Alejandro Heredia (Loca) Moderated by Tamela J. Gordon (Hood Wellness)

Signing - 2:45 PM - 3:15 PM

3:00 PM - 3:40 PM | Love in Full Color

Join Natasha Bishop (The Art of Loving You), Ashley Jordan (Once Upon a Time in Dollywood), Alexandra Villasante (Fireblooms) and Christine Pride (To All the Men I’ve Loved Again), Ashley Woodfolk (Queerleaders) for a vibrant discussion on crafting romance that celebrates joy, passion, and authentic love stories. Moderated by Morgan Menzies, Literary Curator, @PrettyLittleBookshelf

Signing - 3:45 PM - 4:15 PM

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Keynote with S. A. Cosby with Kennedy Ryan

Join New York Times bestselling author S. A. Cosby (King of Ashes) in conversation with Kennedy Ryan (Score) as they discuss craft, character, and writing stories that thrill, challenge and resonate deeply with readers.

Signing - 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

DOWNTOWN STAGE | PROGRAMMING (Subject to change without warning)

Sponsored by The Bronx is Reading

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Giveaways & Crafts 

Kick off the day with hands-on fun for the whole family. Enjoy kid-friendly crafts, creative activities, and book giveaways while supplies last

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Story Corner: Night Flight by David Barclay Moore 

Join award winning author David Barclay Moore for a heartfelt read aloud of Night Flight, a soaring story filled with wonder and hope.

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Story Corner: Salon Saturday by Janelle Harper  

Celebrate community, joy, and culture as Janelle Harper shares Salon Saturday, a vibrant picture book honoring the beauty of Black hair traditions.

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Story Corner: Julian is a Mermaid, and Little Passenger by Jessica Love

Join author-illustrator Jessica Love for a tender reading of Julian Is a Mermaid, a celebration of identity, self-expression, and imagination. And Little Passenger 

11:30 AM - 12:00 NOON | Story Corner: Planting Hope by Frederick Joseph 

Join New York Times bestselling author Freederick Joseph as he reads Planting Hope, an inspiring story about community care, resilience, and nurturing change.

12:00 NOON-12:30 PM | Story Corner: I Am The Dream Come True by Marley Dias  

Join author and activist Marley Dias for an uplifting reading of I Am the Dream Come True, a powerful affirmation of self love and possibility.

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM - Mindfulness Break facilitatev by Lofty Heights Movement

2:00 PM -2:30 PM | Story Corner: Viva Valenzuela! Illustrated by John Parra 

Join award winning illustrator and author John Parra for a warm and engaging storytime highlighting art, heritage, and family connections.

2:30 PM-3:00 PM | Story Corner: A Black Girl & Her Braids by Jaylene Clark Owens 

Jaylen Clark Owens brings her joyful story to life in a read aloud that celebrates the creativity, pride, and cultural significance of Black braiding traditions in A Black Girl and Her Braids.

3:00 PM - 3:40 PM | Adventure & Mayhem: The Art of Story for Middle Schoolers 

Join Ali Terese (Vote for the GOAT), Shauna Grant (Baby-Sitter’s Little Sister: Karen’s Surprise), Kevin Blaize (Dogs of the Wild), and Angel Luis Colón (Minecraft House of Horrors) as they discuss writing adventurous, heartfelt, and imaginative stories for middle grade readers. Moderated by Kanika Mobley (Stories of a Colorful World)

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM | Black Hair in America 

Celebrate the artistry and cultural significance of Black hair with Janelle Harper (Salon Saturday), Jaylene Clark Owens (A Black Girl And Her Braids), Moderated by Kanika Mobley (Stories of a Colorful World) 

4:30 PM 5:00 PM | Sketching in a Bronx Minute

Don’t miss this high energy, interactive illustration showdown! Watch Shauna Grant (Baby-Sitter’s Little Sister: Karen’s Surprise), John Parra (Viva Valenzuela!), Jessica Love (Julian is a Mermaid), bring characters to life in real time with prompts from the audience. Facilitated by Alyssa Reynoso Morris

Agenda

🕑: 08:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Check-in + Swag Bag Pick-up for General Ticket Holders
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Check-in + Tote Bag Giveaway for Ages 0-17 (while supplies last)
🕑: 10:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Panel Programming All Day
🕑: 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
Lair of Dreams Bookshop by The Bronx is Reading

Info: A purchase from the bookstore is required to receive your wristband to join the signing line for author signings.