The BookFest returns Oct. 24-25 with free virtual fall event

The BookFest Adventure is set for its Fall 2026 online event on Oct. 24-25, bringing readers, writers, speakers and literary organizations together for two days of free programming. The event also spotlights its Corporate Bellwethers, BookFest Awards and livestream access across the web and social platforms.

Why it matters: - The BookFest gives readers and writers a free way to join a global literary event without travel or ticket costs. - The Fall 2026 program aims to connect authors, publishing professionals and book lovers around conversations, book discovery and community-building. - The event's BookFest Awards add visibility for honored books and authors.

What happened: - The BookFest Adventure returns for its Fall 2026 virtual event on October 24 and 25, 2026. - The online gathering is open to readers and writers around the world. - The event is produced by Black Château Enterprises and presented in part by Books That Make You. - Desireé Duffy is the founder of The BookFest.

The details: - Fall 2026 Corporate Bellwethers include Abundantly Social, Amy Vogel Publishing, AMPlify Audiobooks, Black Château Enterprises, Book Award Pro, Bookinfluencers.com, Books That Make You, Creative Edge, Geek Girl Publishing, Invouq, Kauai Writers Conference, LASFS, Loscon, Marla Albertie LLC, Plottr, ProBookLaunch, Relatable Voice Magazine, Truthseekers Journey, Unite Against Book Bans, Unofficial Book Club Podcast, Wide for the Win, Writers and Publishers Network and WriterCon. - Attendees are encouraged to visit the Virtual Booths on The BookFest website to learn more about those organizations. - The Fall 2026 program features two days of virtual content for readers and writers. - Speakers include Marla J. Albertie, Paula Banks, Debbie Bishop, Diann Floyd Boehm, Marie Brown, Tricia Copeland, Desiree Duffy, David Katz, Becky Parker Geist, Christian Hurst, Gerald Everett Jones, Kathleen Kaiser, Liisa Kovala, Joseph L. Licari, Sheila Lowe, Paul Levine, Devyn McDonald Sr., Joshua Mohr, Adanna Moriarty, Denise Mullinex, Ehi Okoedion, Scott Ryan, Robert J. Sawyer, J.M. Shaw, Cameron Sutter, Jeniffer Thompson, Carran Waterfield, Mary Wyatt, Amy Vogel, Carrie West, Edward Willett and Chester L. Richards. - The full schedule is posted on The BookFest Programming Page. - The event website will host the livestream on the event days. - Winners of the Fall 2026 BookFest Awards will also be listed on the website and notified by email. - The BookFest streams through the Books That Make You channel on YouTube and across social media platforms. - Event updates use the hashtags #TheBookFest and #TheBookFestFall2026.

Between the lines: - The event leans on corporate and individual supporters to extend its reach and keep the free model running. - Desireé Duffy says the backing from brands and organizations helps create meaningful experiences for readers and writers and strengthens the literary community. - Individual Bellwethers support the event, help judge The BookFest Awards and contribute to the event's continued success. - Individual Bellwethers include Brian Bosch, Dave Duffy, Desireé Duffy, Beth Freely, Tina Hogan Grant, Hannah Jacobson, Kathleen Kaiser, Lisa Diane Kastner, Deborah Kobylt, Hollis McCollum, KJ Matthews, Lucia Matuonto, Dr Raye Mitchell, Mickey Mikkelson, donalee Moulton, Karla Olson, Stephanie Rabell, Aimee Ravichandran, Flo Selfman, CJ Sleeth, Bree Swider and Amy Wolf. - The BookFest has run each spring and fall since 2020 and is Webby-nominated. - Past speakers have included Mitch Albom, Danny Trejo, Christina Baker Kline, S.A. Cosby, Peter James, Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein and Mark Coker. - The BookFest is a registered trademark of Desireé Duffy.

What's next: - Readers and writers can subscribe on The BookFest website for email alerts, event news and the Virtual Gift Bag delivered after each BookFest. - Attendees can check The BookFest Programming Page for updates and schedule changes. - More information is available at The BookFest. - Social updates are available on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and X.