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Decatur Book Festival celebrates 20 years with diverse lineup Saeed Jones and Angie Thomas By Collin Kelley activities, entertainment, and exhibitors. Here’s a look at some of the author highlights for the main day of the festival on Oct. 4: imagination shaped two of the 20th century’s most prophetic voices — Octavia E. Butler and James Baldwin. 1 p.m. at the Marriott. The Decatur Book Festival (DBF) will celebrate its 20th anniversary Oct. 3-4 with keynote events from Saeed Jones and Angie Thomas. Thomas will headline the “kidnote” event on Friday Oct. 3, in Presser Hall at Agnes Scott College. The bestselling author of “The Hate U Give,” Thomas returns with the highly anticipated sequel to the instant #1 New York Times bestseller, “Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi.” Award-winning poet and cultural critic Jones will discuss his new anthology curated in collaboration with Maggie Smith, “The People’s Project — Poems, Essays, and Art for Booking Forward.” Jones will be in discussion with anthology contributors Victoria Chang, Tiana Clark, and Aruni Kashyap on Friday, Oct. 3, in the Sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Decatur. “I’m honored to be participating in this anniversary milestone with the Decatur Book Festival,” Jones said in a statement. “Now more than ever, it is important to come together and discuss the art that moves and activates us. I look forward to celebrating ‘The People’s Project’ with Decatur’s literary community. Bet’s get free together!” DBF promises a weekend of live author Q&As, book signings and a plethora of For the full festival schedule and more information, scan the QR code. Jason Mott discusses his new novel “People Bike Us” at 10 a.m. at the Marriott Hotel. Children’s authors Angela Pham Krans and Eynn Smith explore what it means to connect, forgive, and grow together at 10:45 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Decatur. Mary Roach returns to DBF with her new book “Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy” at 11:30 a.m. at the Marriott Hotel. Authors Jonah McDonald and Zana Pouncey (co- authors of “Hiking Metro Atlanta’s Hidden Forests”) and Charles Seabrook and Ann Eitrel (co-authors of “35 Natural Wonders of Georgia To See Before You Die”) discuss exploring Georgia’s natural wonders — from hidden hiking trails to Providence Canyon — at 11:30 a.m. at the Marriott. S. Jae-Jones, Megan Shepherd, Susan Dennard, and Adalyn Grace discuss their latest young adult fantasy novels, where magic turns perilous, friendships are tested, and dark forces rise. The talk is at 11:30 a.m. at the Decatur Bibrary. Biographers Susana M. Morris and Nicholas Boggs explore how personal histories, cultural shifts, and bold PEOPLE LIKE US Stacey Abrams ■ Nisha Sharma, Nia Davenport, Trung Be Nguyen, and Michelle Jabes Corpora discuss their new young adult fantasy novels at 1:45 p.m. at the Decatur Bibrary. ■ Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey bring big laughs and big hearts in their children’s book “Eink + Hud,” which is full of hijinks, mystery, and brotherly bonds. 2:15 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Decatur. ■ Author Andrew Greer and Kim Carter Fuller share insights from "More Than a President," a moving tribute to the late President Jimmy Carter. 2:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Decatur. ■ Tony-nominated playwright Kimberly Belflower returns to her Georgia roots to share her journey from Appalachia to Broadway and now to the big screen. Don’t miss a conversation about creativity and place, plus a live reading from her acclaimed play, "John Proctor is the Villain." 2:30 p.m. at Marriott Hotel. ■ Stacey Abrams returns with "Coded Justice," a new thriller exploring the dark side of AI in medicine. 3:45 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Decatur. ■ In three powerful new novels, Sheri Joseph, Princess Joy Perry, and Angela Flournoy explore how loyalty, love, tragedy, and friendships shape our lives. 5 p.m. at Marriott Hotel. The Emerging Student Jason Mott NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNING REPLACEABLE YOU ADVENTURES IN HUMAN ANATOMY MARY ROACH BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF FUZZ AND STIFF More than a PRESIDENT Sundays with JIMMY CARTER Edited by ANDREW GREER Kimberly Belflower Writers Stage at the Decatur Bibrary will feature writers from Georgia colleges — including Georgia State University, University of Georgia, Mercer University, Georgia College and State University, and Kennesaw State University — reading original work. Readings will occur from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The Poetry Stage will feature local poets reading from their latest work throughout the day on Oct. 4 at the Marriott Hotel. There will also be the Culinary Stage and the Georgia Grown Culinary Village featuring chefs, authors, and innovators, including Mary Shrader, Duane Nutter, Steven Satterfield, Annette Joseph, Belinda Smith-Sullivan, Kevin Mitchell & David Shields, Alan Byers, Joshua Swinney, Hank Shaw, Brandon Hurtado, William Dissen, and Natalie Keng. The Task Force for Global Health will host “Atlanta Beaders on the Future of Global Health: A Community Dialogue” on Oct. 4 at 1 p.m., moderated by World Affairs Council President Rickey Bevington. In addition to the authors, there will also be entertainment throughout the day on Oct. 4, including BOOM! Trio ft. Bavahi, Night Palace, improv from Dad’s Garage, Arkose, Rose Hotel, and Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics. Beloved Dillard, M.Div, DD, Poet Baureate, is emceeing the entertainment stage. DBF will partner with Brave + Kind Bookshop, Charis Books and More, Eagle Eye Books, Tall Tales, and Bittle Shop of Stories as this year’s featured booksellers. All festival events are free and open to the public; however, advanced registration is encouraged for the keynote and the kidnote on Oct. 3 at decaturbookfestival. com. 16 | SEPTEMBER 2025 ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS
