San Jose Book Festival
About this Event
Welcome to the First Annual San Jose Book Festival
This family-friendly event highlights local authors and independent publishers. You'll discover local and international history and historical fiction, poetry, graphic novels, children's books from picture books to young-adult, fantasy, science fiction, biography and memoir, romance, mysteries, and thrillers, and of course the blended genres that independent authors and publishers are famous for. Need science in your suspense? Need a detective knowledgeable about the paranormal? You'll find what you're looking for here.
Claim your free spot, to let us know you want to come, so we can spread the news that people are interested in this brand-new event. No obligation, just an RSVP to our invitation.
In the cool, welcoming spaces of Eastridge Center, book-lovers can meet authors in person, chat up local publishers, discover and buy all their new favorite books, win raffle prizes, attend live demonstrations and panel discussions with working writers, and connect with local literary organizations. For families, we'll even have a meet-and-greet with the world-famous Pete the Cat!
Visit our website for lots of details and to sign up for the newsletter so you'll stay up-to-date as we add new features. Collect cool Festival swag (including tees, mugs, totes, and stickers) at our store. All proceeds directly support the Festival.
The schedule posted below may change, the full schedule will appear fully updated on the home page on the day of the event.
Events on The Green
Live On the Green
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Welcome to the Festival!
Host: San Jose Book Festival Team
Info: The San Jose Book Festival Team are excited to welcome you to our event and help you find your way to your new favorite books.
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Keynote Speaker: Karen Joy Fowler
Host: Karen Joy Fowler
Info: Karen Joy Fowler is the author of seven novels and three short story collections. Her most recent novel, Booth, a historical account of the family of the famous assassin, was on the Booker longlist.
🕑: 12:30 PM - 12:45 PM
Raffle Drawing #1
Info: Remember to pick up a free raffle ticket at the info booth and check back after each of our raffle drawings. Winning numbers will be posted. You must collect any prizes before 5:00 pm.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Swordfighting Demonstration
Host: Steaphen Fick
Info: Learn the basics of European Martial Arts from internationally-recognized instructor Steaphen Fick. Steaphen retired from tournament fighting in 2013 to focus on teaching and consulting for theatrical combat and choreography.
🕑: 02:30 PM - 02:45 PM
Raffle Drawing #2
Info: Remember to pick up a free raffle ticket at the info booth and check back after each of our raffle drawings. Winning numbers will be posted. You must collect any prizes before 5:00 pm.
🕑: 04:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Swordfighting Demonstration
Host: Steaphen Fick
Info: Learn the basics of European Martial Arts from internationally-recognized instructor Steaphen Fick. Steaphen retired from tournament fighting in 2013 to focus on teaching and consulting for theatrical combat and choreography.
🕑: 04:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Raffle Drawing #3: LAST CHANCE!
Info: Remember to pick up a free raffle ticket at the info booth and check back after each of our raffle drawings. Winning numbers will be posted. You must collect any prizes before 5:00 pm.
Events at BookSmart
🕑: 10:00 AM - 05:00 AM
Live at BookSmart: Panel Discussions
Host: BookSmart
Info: Six lively author panels will discuss approaches to publishing, the allure of mysteries and thrillers, fantastic stories for all ages, writing from trauma, personal reinvention, and those unconventional characters you just can't forget. There's a break at 11 am, so you can listen to our keynote speaker.
🕑: 10:10 AM - 11:00 AM
From Inspiration to Publication: How to Turn Ideas Into Books
Info: Four authors with different approaches to planning, developing, and publishing their books will discuss the alternative approaches available to writers in the modern era. Featuring Kenneth Tan, Theresa Chen Arzola, Vinnie Hansen, and Brooke L. French (moderator).
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM
Crossing the Portal: Why Fantasy Resonates at Every Age
Info: Consider the ways fantasy plays into storytelling for readers, from childhood through adulthood, with four authors who work with and understand the role of fantasy in storytelling. Featuring Gwen Lee, Elle M. Stewart, Clara Ward, and Sheryl R. Hayes (moderator).
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:50 PM
The Allure of Secrets in Crime and Mystery
Info: Join authors of novels delivering suspense, danger, and unsolved puzzles that their characters must resolve before you reach that very last page. Featuring Jennifer K. Morita, J. M. Tilbury, Michelle Chouinard, and Jude Berman (moderator).
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:50 PM
Unconventional, Bold, and Morally Gray Characters: Why We Love Them
Info: Villians who are more fun that the heroes, charismatic creatures we can't look away from, people whose lives (and loves) push them on the fringes of society ... join these authors to talk through writing and reading such complex and appealing characters. Featuring M.D. Neu, Valerie Saul, William Albert Baldwin, and Jaime L. Tlax (moderator).
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:50 PM
Brave New Chapters: Stories of Personal Reinvention in Fiction and Nonfiction
Info: Maybe it's memoir, maybe it isn't, maybe it's fiction rooted in an author's personal history or their research into the lives of others, but stories of change lie at the core of literature. Learn how these authors approached this central idea. Featuring Dan Vado, Matt Abraham, Marian O'Shea Wernicke, and Jordan Rosenfeld (moderator).
🕑: 04:00 PM - 04:50 PM
The Hard Stuff: Truth, Trauma, and Telling Family Secrets [Content Notice]
Info: Follow four daring authors into the land few dare to tread: the truth. Not the easy truths, but the ones that cut to the bone...and save us from the cruel silence of secrecy. Featuring Susannah Kennedy, Lyzette Wanzer, Karin K. Jensen, and Alison van Diggelen (moderator). Content warning: the hard stuff may include difficult topics such as self-harm or violence. Visit author's tables early if you have concerns these may trouble you.
Children's Events
🕑: 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM
San Jose Public Library hosts Pete the Cat and Storytimes
Host: San Jose Public Library
Info: The San Jose Public Library will hold storytime sessions and photo ops with Pete the Cat.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Pete the Cat Photo Op plus Storytime!
Host: San Jose Public Library
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Pete the Cat Photo Op plus Storytime!
Host: San Jose Public Library
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
