Second Annual
Hill Country Literary Festival
Free events and author talks for all ages!
March 21, 2026
Mammen Family Public Library
For Adults
Join us for a full day of author panels, book sales, workshops, and more!
All events, programs, and activities are free. Books must be purchased from Nowhere Bookshop, our bookseller, or directly from the authors on-site.
For Teens
Join us for a full day of author panels, book sales, and a Zine Studio just for teens!
All events, programs, and activities are free. Books must be purchased from Nowhere Bookshop, our bookseller, or directly from the authors on-site.
For Kids
Stay tuned for what’s in store for Kids at the 2026 Hill Country Literary Festival!
All events, programs, and activities are free. Books must be purchased from Nowhere Bookshop, our bookseller, or directly from the authors on-site.
2026 Keynote Speakers
Dianna Hutts Aston
Children’s Keynote
Dianna Hutts Aston is the award-winning author of many timeless, internationally
acclaimed books celebrating the awe and wonder of nature. Her science series,
illustrated by Sylvia Long, includes AN EGG IS QUIET; A SEED IS SLEEPY; A
BUTTERFLY IS PATIENT; A ROCK IS LIVELY; A NEST IS NOISY; A BEETLE IS SHY;
and A SHELL IS COZY. Among other titles are the Coretta Scott King Honor Book,
THE MOON OVER STAR; AN ORANGE IN JANUARY (her favorite); and DREAM
SOMETHING BIG/The Story of the Watts Towers. When she isn’t writing or reading,
you can find her wandering the Texas Hill Country in search of bugs, bones, fossils,
rocks, seeds, nests and more. For more fun facts about the author and her books,
please visit www.diannahuttsaston.org.
Kelsey Cox
Festival Keynote
Kelsey Cox received her MFA in fiction from Purdue University and works from home in the Texas Hill Country. You can often find her writing at Mammen Family Public Library, chasing around her two young daughters, or watching British mysteries with her mom and aunts. On nights when bedtime goes as planned, she enjoys curling up on the sofa, glass of wine in hand, and a book with complicated characters and a killer twist in her lap. She is the author of Party of Liars and the forthcoming Pretty Dead Things.
2026 Featured Authors
Avrel Seale
Author
Nature’s Narratives
Scott Semegran
Author
Paths to Publishing Workshop
Dianna Hutts Aston
Author
Keynote
Julie DeWess Sparks
Author
Writing Texas History Panel
Nicole Leconte
Moonlight Books
Bookbinding & Repair Workshop
James Wade
Author
Genre Panel
Kelsey Cox
Author
Keynote
Isa Arsén
Author/Moderator
Genre Panel
Pam Penick
Author
Nature’s Narratives
Joel Kitchens
Author
Writing Texas History Panel
Etta Easton
Author
Genre Panel
Wondra Chang
Author
Genre Panel
Lori Mammen
Moderator
Keynote Moderator
David Ladensohn
Author
Nature’s Narratives
Nick Pitarra
Illustrator
Illustration Workshop
Max Booth III
Author
Genre Panel
All activities are free to attend for all ages.
Meet the Authors
Book Sales
Don’t miss out on our exciting book sale, featuring a wide selection of genres. Nowhere Bookshop is our exclusive book vendor for all festival authors and illustrators. Books may be purchased from their booth on-site for signing! It’s the perfect chance to grab signed copies and support your favorite authors.
Interactive Workshops
Join us for hands-on workshops! Stay tuned to hear what workshops we have planned for 2026!
Food Trucks
You can plan to stay all day with food on-site! Stay tuned for the 2026 food options!
Local Author Corner
Stop by the FOL Parking Lot from 10:00am-2:00pm for a local author meet & greet! Meet local authors, learn about their works, and purchase their books.
Interested in being a local author for this event? Please apply through Zeffy and a festival staff member will be in touch!
Click here to view application.
Questions?
Q.How do I become a sponsor of for the 2026 Literary Festival?
A. If you would like to sponsor the 2026 Literary Festival, please email litfest@mfplibrary.org
Q. I’m a local author, how do I get involved?
A. We are currently accepting local authors to partcipate in the Local Author Corner. If you are a local author who would like to partcipate please complete our Local Author Participation Request Form(CLICK HERE TO APPLY). For more information please email litfest@mfplibrary.org.
Q. Can I be a vendor at the 2026 Literary Festival?
A. The library will have a vendor area for those selling literary merchandise and bookish wares. Email litfest@mfplibrary.org for more information.
Q. I can only stay for part of the day. Is that okay?
A. Absolutely! Stay for as much or as little of the day as you’d like, or come and go when you please!
Q. Where do I park?
A. Mammen Family Public Library has plenty of on-site parking!
Q. Can I volunteer?
A. Yes! Volunteers will help make our festival a success! Volunteers will serve in a variety of capacities: helping with set-up and break-down of the festival, acting as runners for authors and festival staff, assisting attendees with directions, and more. Volunteers must be at least 13 years old. Click here to view the different volunteer positions needed. For more information or to sign up; please email litfest@mfplibrary.org.
The Day’s Schedule
From 10 am to 4 pm you will find wonderful workshops, panels, and other activities to join. All ages are welcome. You’ll be able to purchase books from Nowhere and tasty food from awesome food trucks. Plan to stay all day.