Decatur Book Festival unveils first 16 authors for 21st anniversary event

The Decatur Book Festival (DBF) has released an early look at its 2026 lineup, announcing 16 authors who will headline the 21st anniversary celebration when the free event returns to downtown Decatur Oct. 2 and 3.

The preview spans fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoir, children’s literature and cooking, with organizers promising more than 70 award-winning and bestselling authors when the complete schedule is released Aug. 18.

Leading the announcement is Pulitzer Prize winner Brian Goldstone, who will deliver the festival’s keynote on Friday, Oct. 2. His book, “There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America,” follows five Atlanta families to examine the growing crisis of working homelessness. While all sessions are free, advance registration is encouraged for the keynote on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.

**Headshot of Biran Goldstone, author of “There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America.” (Photo by Elaine Brown.)**

Another featured guest is Tareasa “Reesa Teesa” Johnson, whose viral TikTok series “Who TF Did I Marry?” drew millions of viewers. Johnson will discuss her memoir, “What (TF) Do I Do Now?: Reclaiming Myself, One Piece at a Time,” which chronicles rebuilding her life through healing and self-reflection after a toxic relationship.

Atlanta author and Emory professor Tayari Jones also joins the lineup with “Kin,” an Oprah’s Book Club selection, exploring two lifelong friends whose lives intersect again after years apart following a devastating tragedy.

The festival’s programming for younger readers includes No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Tomi Adeyemi, who will open the festival with “The Siren“, a book for young adult audiences. Acclaimed children’s authors Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko will headline the festival’s popular “Kidnote” session with “I Am a Good Dog: A Dogtown Book.“

The remaining announced authors are Marcia Chatelain, Ryan Douglass, Meherwan Irani, Pedro Martín, J. Tom Morgan, Steven Raichlen, Eliot Schrefer, Arthur Sze, Aiden Thomas and Nghi Vo.

Festival attendees can also look forward to author panels, book signings and activities for readers of all ages. While admission is free, book-signing lines require the purchase of the participating author’s latest book.

The festival will also recognize the 2026 Lillian Smith Book Award winners through a partnership with the Southern Regional Council, University of Georgia Libraries and DeKalb County Public Library’s Georgia Center for the Book. Additional sessions will be presented in partnership with Georgia Humanities.

**Book cover for Tareasa “Reesa Teesa” Johnson’s What (TF) Do I Do Now?, Based on her viral tik tok series Who TF Did I marry, which chronicles her toxic marriage. (Photo by Jenifer Valentin.)**

“For twenty-one years, the Decatur Book Festival has brought together authors and readers for this beloved literary event,” Executive Director Bailee Yarbrough said. “DBF remains committed to keeping literature accessible to all members of the Greater Atlanta area with this free book festival.”

Yarbrough said the city’s new downtown stage, introduced during Decatur’s FIFA World Cup Watch Fest, will host children’s programming while events for all ages will take place throughout downtown.

Literary Director Anna Dobben said the festival will feature many of the year’s most anticipated books, including several fall releases that will not officially go on sale until after the event.

“This free, family-friendly event will get everybody excited about books and reading,” Dobben said. “There’s something for everybody at DBF.”

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