KBF Schedule!

Event Hours

Saturday, May 2nd: 10:00am - 5:00pm (VIPs enter at 9:30am)

Sunday, May 3rd: 10:00am - 4:00pm (VIPs enter at 9:30am)

Good to know: Most events are free to attend. Some classes and workshops have limited seating. For free sessions with registration, signing up in advance is the only way to secure your seat.

Saturday, May 2nd

Main Stage

Dark Romance Author Panel

Free

Horror Author Panel

Free

One-on-One with James Dashner

Moderated by author Jordan St. James

Free

Romance / Romantasy Author Panel

Free

General Fiction Author Panel

Free

Rotunda

The Crownmaker’s Atelier

Forging a faerie tiara.

$20

Register
Bedazzle Your Book

Using diamond art to bling out your favorite book!

$40

Register
Twisted Moments

A precious moments reimagining art class.

$15

Register

Classroom 301A

Richard White

World building 101 and how to weave them into your stories.

Free

Reserve Free Seat
Judy Balloff

Imagination Council. Judy uses AI to ask questions from some of the greatest leaders of our time.

Free

Reserve Free Seat
Allen Sircy

Selling & marketing self-published books. Turning a manuscript into a sustainable business.

Free

Reserve Free Seat

Classroom 301B

Lyndon Perry

Overcoming the perils of being a small press publisher.

Free

Reserve Free Seat
John Holley

Creating on purpose in the age of artificial intelligence.

Free

Reserve Free Seat
Jeri Weems

How to become a fiction author: from spark to shelf!

Free

Reserve Free Seat

Classroom 301C

Janet Walden-West

Creating a query packet: letter, synopsis, and chapters for writers intending to query agents or editors.

Free

Reserve Free Seat
Diane Kann

Writing hope into the future. The art of eco-fiction.

Free

Reserve Free Seat

Sunday, May 3rd

Main Stage

Sci-Fi / Fantasy Author Panel

Free

Historical Novel Author Panel

Free

One-on-One with Sherrilyn Kenyon

Moderated by author Alex Gordon

Free

Mystery / Suspense Author Panel

Free

Rotunda

Color Your Own Wood Engraved Bookmark

Free

Reserve Free Seat
Bedazzle Your Book

Using diamond art to bling out your favorite book!

$40

Register
The Crownmaker’s Atelier

Forging a faerie tiara.

$20

Register

Classroom 301A

A.G. Mock

You’ve written your book...now what? The road to self-publishing a best seller.

Free

Reserve Free Seat
Leeanne Tyler

Hooking the reader, grabbing your audience’s attention.

Free

Reserve Free Seat
Alexandria Anderson

The challenges of self-publishing.

Free

Reserve Free Seat

Classroom 301B

Pebbles Wireman

Overcoming stumbling blocks in writing.

Free

Reserve Free Seat
Richard White

Writer beware: how to recognize and avoid less-than-helpful agents / publishers / editors.

Free

Reserve Free Seat
Marie Lestrange

Plotting a novel.

Free

Reserve Free Seat

Classroom 301C

Patricia Gilliam

Character development and world building. Practical tips and techniques for bringing your characters and settings to life across long-term projects. All genres welcome.

Free

Reserve Free Seat

Thank You for Being Part of the Second Annual Knoxville Book Festival!

This festival wouldn’t be possible without you — our attendees, authors, vendors, staff, volunteers, and supporters. Your enthusiasm, creativity, and love of books continue to help this event grow into something truly special.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of our second year. Whether you discovered a new favorite book, met an inspiring author, connected with fellow readers, or simply enjoyed spending the day surrounded by stories, we’re grateful you chose to spend this time with us.

Here’s to many more years of celebrating books, creativity, and the power of storytelling together.

See you next year at your new favorite Book Festival!